On May 12, 2023, Raney (Whitney) Beckner was pronounced dead in the emergency room of the North Kansas City Hospital at 2:20pm. 

Whitney C. Brown was born in Columbia, MIssouri on April 4, 1994. By the time she turned two, she was living with Becky and Val Beckner-Goodrich as a foster child, and was adopted as Raney Sue Goodrich Beckner on June 14, 1999.

Raney struggled emotionally and academically. Gymnastics saved her for a while. She was in and out of treatment facilities for 13 years. She recently completed a nearly year long treatment program, and was anxious to start her life anew, yet within a month of graduation.

Raney had five children: a son who was given up for adoption at birth, and daughters: Abigail, Willow, Loyalty, and Faith. She also leaves behind her parents, family, and a host of friends who loved her and prayed for her survival and success.

We hope her Nana has wrapped her wings around her, her tortured soul is set free, and her pain has melted away. We imagine her using her beautiful voice along with Nana in singing their favorite song, "I Hope You Dance."