Raisa Alexandrovna Chernysheff

Raisa Alexandrovna Chernysheff was born January 12, 1924, in Jalal Abad, Russia, and passed away August 10, 2021, in Lakeview, OR.

Raisa lived an interesting life, as the family had defected from Russia and endured lots of hardship to finally find freedom in America.  They left Russia in 1933 and made it to China where they lived for a time.  They were forced to leave China, and with help, they made it to the Philippines in 1949.  Raisa met Nicolas Chernysheff during this time.  Raisa and Nicolas were part of a religious refugee group that all lived very close together with multiple families in a camp doing odd jobs to survive. They fell in love and married when she was only 16.  They left the Philippines in 1951 to come to America.  Raisa and Nicolas became the “landing zone” for other Russian refugees and were always willing to help them to a safe place and to get a start on their new freedom.

Raisa worked for the Campbell food company making soup, in Sacramento, California, until moving to San Francisco in 1955. She then started her career at United Airlines and worked there until her retirement in 1979.  She retired at that time to adopt and raise her children and moved them to Portland, Oregon.  In 1997, after the passing of her husband (in 1995) she decided to move to Lakeview and finish raising her children in a smaller town that would be easier for a single parent.

Raisa loved people! She was a social butterfly and involved herself in our community in many ways always helping others. You might say that helping people was her hobby. Raisa always enjoyed gathering to eat a delicious meal.  She was a long-time member of the Lakeview Assembly of God Church.  She enjoyed her Godly studies and read her bible not only in English but Chinese and Russian too.  She loved the old hymns and sang them proudly. She was generous and always giving of herself in any way she could.  She had a level of concern and compassion for others that was “Jesus-like”. Her smile and kindness would warm the room. Raisa loved children and helped in the care of not only her children but other children in her family.  She was known as “babushka” by many and will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her son, Anthony Chernysheff; and daughters, Sasha and Lana Chernysheff, and numerous nieces and nephews

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, at 11:00 AM at the Outback Assembly of God Church in Lakeview, with a potluck to follow.  She will be laid to rest at the New Pine Creek Cemetery in New Pine Creek, OR. 

Memorial contributions can be made in Raisa’s memory to the charity of the donor’s choice.

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