Raquel Baez Ayala

Raquel Baez was born on January 29, 1936, in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. She was one of seven children by her mother, Julia Baez and her father, Vicente Baez. She attended school in Fajardo, Puerto Rico and, at the age of 17, moved to the beautiful island of St Croix USVI. It was here she met and married the love of her life Ernesto Ayala Maldonado and became Raquel Ayala. Together they procreated seven children, five of which died at birth and 2 survived. Those two were her sons, Ernesto Ayala Jr; who they called Tito and Jose Manuel Ayala; who they called Charlie who is no longer with us.

Raquel was a dedicated mother who, through struggles and hard times, worked hard alongside her husband to make a way for her family, even if she didn't speak English, which she strived to learn and she did. Raquel was always at her husband’s side, wherever her husband was, she was also. Together they built a life that included businesses; one of which was called “Happy Hill” where the community use to hang out with friends and family.

While in that life, Raquel and her husband were called by the Lord to the ministry of pastors. Dedicating their life and what they had to the Lord, they founded the church called Iglesia Bienaventurada Hermanos Unido en Cristo which later changed to Faro De Luz. They had a heart to help people in need. Raquel passion was cooking with love. She always had a meal prepared, so whenever her children and grands came over, there was a buffet of delicious food, which some of her grands picked up the skill and passion of cooking.

As the years passed by, Raquel and her husband’s health started to decline leading their son Ernesto, Jr. to relocate them to the state of North Carolina in the year 2015, where they received much better medical attention.

After years of doctor’s care, her husband passed away on February 7, 2017. Soon after, Raquel’s health worsened causing her to eventually need 24-hour attention. She was moved and placed into the care of the Carrolton of Dunn. Then couple years later, she became very ill and had to be taken under the care of Gentiva Hospice. And after several days, on June 7, 2025, Raquel transitioned to be with the Lord.

Raquel was preceded in death by her husband, Ernesto Ayala Maldonado; mother, Julia Baez Ayala; father, Vincente Baez; son, Jose M. Ayala; grandson, Marco Jose Ayala; brothers, Andre Cruz and Daniel Baez; and sisters, Leonore Cruz, Carmin Cruz.

She is survived by her son, Ernesto Ayala, Jr, and his wife Maudlyn; brother, Ezequiel Baez Ayala; sister, Ramona Baez; grandchildren, Yolandita Lake and her husband George, Ricaldo Ayala, Sr. and his wife Dawn Graham, Raquel O'Bryan and husband Chuave Mandela, Ernesto Ruiz Ayala, Juan Andre Ayala and wife Lisa Rivera Ayala, and Dorothy Lopez and husband Alfred; numerous great grandchildren; and a host of other family and friends.

Raquel, Hermana Raquel, Mai, and Mama are the names that will repeatedly be mentioned within us; because of her Legacy and the mark she left us with. We will miss you soooo much. May you rest in peace Mama….the fortress of the family.