Fayrine West

Fayrine West Obituary

Sunrise: June 26, 1941 Linden, Texas / Sunset: January 31, 2025 Snellville, GA

Fayrine West, affectionately known as “Fay”, was born June 26, 1941 to the late James Rodgers and Roxie Fae Ward of Linden, Texas. Fay peacefully transitioned to Heaven on January 31, 2025 while visiting family and friends in Snellville, Georgia.

Like many families in the African American community of Portland, Oregon, Fay’s family migrated to Portland, Oregon for better employment opportunities (e.g., Henry J. Kaiser Shipyard, ESCO, etc.). She attended Girls’ Polytechnic High School “Girls’ Poly” and Jefferson High School where she graduated. She had an early career as a Cosmetologist.

Fay met Robert “Bob” West, Jr. at a small gathering, and they later married. They raised three children: Kenneth “Kenny” West, Kennetha “Lyn” West-Pullins and Robie West.

Fay had a natural curiosity which led to many adventures! As a young mother, she’d gather her children and their cousins for regular outings in her little yellow Toyota Corolla (It’s still a mystery how she fit everyone in that little car)! Such outings included trips to the Zoo, OMSI, The Grotto, Joe Brown’s Caramel Corn in Lloyd Center Mall, Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus and The Jackson 5 concert at the Portland Memorial Coliseum, and regular family portraits (i.e., After church and Christmas).

Fay was a major proponent of education. While working as a teacher’s aide at Eliot Elementary School, she continued her education by enrolling in an evening program to become a teacher. She obtained a degree from Portland State University in Elementary Education, and taught as a teacher at various schools to include Rigler, Boise-Eliot, Humboldt, Martin Luther King Jr., Ockley Green and Vernon Elementary Schools. 

Compassionate about child welfare issues, Fay helped children in any way she could. An example of her child well-being initiatives was the development of a program where she met with cafeteria management and staff at all of the schools where she taught to ensure leftover lunches and snacks were available to children who were in need of additional nutrition – she was acutely aware that many children only received meals at school.

Fay retired from the Portland Public School District, however based on her love for children she continued to work as a substitute teacher for many years. Everywhere she went, you would surely hear children and young adults alike enthusiastically yelling “Hi Mrs. West, remember me?!”

Known for her upbeat personality, positive attitude, signature smile accompanied by her sweet giggle, Fay never met a stranger and she enjoyed helping people in general. She never judged anyone by their circumstances. She enjoyed feeding the homeless (e.g., Burnside Shelter - Portland Rescue Mission), and participated in many community outreach initiates with her church Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church led by Rev. Dr. J.W. Matt Hennessee.

In her later years, Fay spent her downtime gardening (her backyard could have rivaled any floral shop), reading, dining at various culturally diverse restaurants, and traveling. Fay had a wicked sweet tooth, and she loved A&W Root Beer, Banana Split Sundaes, German Chocolate Cake, and cookies from Helen Bernhard Bakery! If you dined with her, you knew it would take at least two to three hours because she ate so slow (she’d always be the last person to finish). One of her last trips was a memorable road trip from Snellville, Georgia to Destin, Florida where she shared life lessons, and funny stories from her early childhood in the South.

Fay was preceded in death by her grandparents Lee and Estella McDowell, parents James Rodgers and Roxie Fae Ward, step-father Robert George Ward, former husband Robert “Bob” West, Jr., son in-law Dennis G. Pullins, siblings Johnnie Rodgers and Erma Jean Ward, nieces Wendy Renea Rodgers and Gail Ann Rodgers, and nephews Terry Wayne Overton, Sr. and Richard “Ricky” Venoy Overton.

Fay leaves to cherish her memory her children Kenneth “Kenny” West, Kennetha “Lyn” West-Pullins and Robie West, grandchildren John Alvin Cowley, Jr. and Amanda Claire West, siblings Alma Jean Reese, Henry McDowell, James Rodgers, Jr., Deacon R. G. Ward and Bertha Fae Washington, nieces Debra Rodgers, Lisa Reese and Debra Overton, nephew Duane (Barbara) Rodgers, and a host of other relatives and special friends.