KC woman killed on I-435 remembered as an MMA fighter on the rise. ‘It is a family’
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- Ray’Von Haney was ranked #269 out of 907 North American women.
- Haney had a record of three wins and one loss while training with Rudy Bears.
- Services for Haney will be held at Serenity Funeral Home at 10:30 a.m. on July 18.
Rudy Bears met Ray’Von Haney at his gym, Rudy Bears Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, shortly after the COVID-19 shutdown was coming to an end.
With Bears coaching, Haney became skilled in both Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and MMA. She soon became a decorated MMA fighter who was ranked #269 out of 907 women in North America and had a record of three wins and one loss.
“She was a competitor and everyone would see that,” Bears said. “She’d compete with everybody in the gym, not just compete, but roll with anybody, bigger, smaller, guy, girl, didn’t matter.”
Haney was supposed to leave to compete in a professional Jui-jitsu competition in Kansas City that Friday, and another in Detroit the following weekend, Bears said.
Emily Coleman, a friend and mentor of Haney’s, said that she was heavily invested in seeing what she would accomplish and was looking forward to the opportunities Haney had coming up.
On June 10, Haney was struck and killed by a car on Interstate 435 at around 5:15 a.m., while walking south toward Sni-A-Bar Road on northbound I-435. She was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to police.
Melinda DeClue, a close friend of Haney, said Haney was walking towards the shoulder of the highway after her car stalled.
Police are still investigating the crash.
Always there for loved ones
Haney was born and raised in Kansas City. She attended Derrick Thomas Academy for elementary and middle school and then went to high school at Ruskin High School.
After graduating from high school, Haney worked for Hy-Vee and Amazon. She also occasionally worked security jobs for Grainger and GardaWorld.
Haney was not married and did not have any children.
Coleman said that the first time she practiced with Haney, she was surprised by her skill.
“She hit me in a triangle and, you know, just really caught me by surprise,” Coleman said. “It was one of those things whereas a much more advanced practitioner I generally kind of like to take it easy on the lower ranks.
“That was one of those eye-opening experiences where I was like, ‘oh my gosh, I can’t just go into these rolls thinking that I need to take it easy on these girls, they’re out for blood.’”
Coleman said that Haney was not only a fierce competitor but also a kind, outgoing teammate and friend. She said that it can be intimidating to be a woman in Jiu-jitsu, but Haney always made other women feel comfortable.
“Ray’Von was the kind of person that would make you feel like you were part of the family from the moment you stepped on the mat,” Coleman said.
Haney’s aunt, Latonya Hill Godfrey, agreed that Haney was a devoted friend.
“Ray’Von had a beautiful spirit, she loved and cared deeply for her family and friends,” Hill Godfrey said. “There was nothing she wouldn’t do for a friend in need. She always checked on everyone to make sure they were okay.”
Coleman said that “she’s somebody that deserves to be recognized for the beautiful soul that she was.”
Lasting impact on community
Coleman and Bears said that the loss of Haney will have lasting impacts at their gym, and the Jiu-jitsu community as a whole.
“You know, our jujitsu family, it is a family,” Coleman said. “We are losing a member of our family, it is definitely not easy.”
Bears said the energy will not be the same without Haney’s positivity.
“She had a good sense of humor, she’d always laugh,” Bears said. “She would always find a joke and everything, even when she was mad. I won’t say she wasn’t a sore loser because she hated to lose, but she wouldn’t let it get to her. She was just motivator.”
Bears said that Haney was always slightly late to class or practice, only by about three or four minutes. He said that she became known for it around the gym.
When the gym heard of Haney’s passing, they instilled a new tradition, starting every class and practice a few minutes late.
“She’s a big loss, you know, it’s definitely something that we’re going to be feeling and reeling from for some time,” Bears said. “She’ll always be kind of a part of the spirit, a part of the community, even though she can’t be here in person anymore.”
Coleman said she will miss having Haney as inspiration in the gym.
“You know, she had a lot of just raw talents, drive and dedication. It was one of those things where you are the people you’re surrounded by, right?” Coleman said. “Well, Ray’Von was one of those people you wanted to be surrounded by because you knew that she was going to make you better.”
She said she wants people to remember Haney’s kindness the most.
“She’s somebody that deserves to be recognized for the beautiful soul that she was,” Coleman said.
The gym held an open mat practice in honor of Haney June 14, following the accident. Coleman and Bears said that they had a crowd of people who showed up in memory of Haney and to support her family and friends.
How to support Haney’s family
Services for Haney will be held at Serenity Funeral Home, located at 1101 Bannister Rod at 10:30 a.m. on July 18.
Haney’s gym has started an account on Venmo to accept donations to help for pay her funeral expenses and help Haney’s family.
