Davada Rager
Davada Rager, 60, of Slippery Rock was ushered into the arms of her Savior with her family by her side Saturday at the VNA Hospice Center in Butler, after a 14-year battle with cancer.
Davada was born Feb. 27, 1956, in Grove City to David and Eunice (Swafford) Hanna.
A 1974 graduate of Franklin High School and Oil City Vo-Tech, she was an ordained minister, graduating from Full Gospel Bible Institute in 1994.
On Nov. 22, 1974, Davada married Daniel J. Rager, who she celebrated 42 years of marriage with. Dan never left his beloved “Vads” side for the past 11 days of her life.
Davada was a gifted songwriter, teacher, singer and powerful worshiper, appearing on several radio and TV stations. She wrote two books, “The Fine Art of Armor Bearing” and “Behind Every Shadow” that tell of God's power as she and her son battled cancer. The books testify how peace and laughter surrounded her, instead of terror and chaos. She was writing a third book about speaking the Word of God over every circumstance in your life and not giving into fears when facing difficult circumstances.
Davada was a hospice worker, making her clients' last days as comfortable as possible. She later was employed by USIS in Boyers, until her health forced her to leave. After going into remission, she worked at the Trinity Living Center until December 2015, when the cancer returned.
Along with her husband, Davada is survived by two daughters, Malysa (Brian) Yard of Slippery Rock and BreInne Rager at home; two sons, Christopher Rager Baker of Erie and Nicholas Rager of Slippery Rock; four grandchildren, Isaac and Jeremiah Yard and Katie and Allison Baker, and her grandson on the way, Kaleb Yard; her mother, Eunice Hanna of Harrisville; her sisters, Lazelle Flynn of Kennerdell, Shelby (Richard) Rodgers of Clintonville, Suvan (Keith) Hiner of East Brady, and her brother, Kenton Hanna of Harrisville.
Davada is also survived by her church family from New and Living Way Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ in Farrell and the Shiloh Intrusion Ministries. They provided support and encouragement, and she dearly loved each of them.
Davada was proceeded in death by her granddaughter, Claire Baker; her brother, Neal L. Hanna; her father, David L. Hanna; and her mother-in-law, Eleanor Rager.
RAGER — Friends and family of Davada Rager, who died Saturday, May 28, 2016, will be received from 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the McKinley Funeral Home, 109 Emlenton St., Clintonville, with the funeral immediately following with Bishop Alvin McCoy officiating.The family asks that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to help defray the funeral cost.
