Obituary of R D Raines

RD Raines, age 91, passed away peacefully at home on March 18, 2018 surrounded by family and friends.  The family will be receiving friends at Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN on Tuesday from 4-8 p.m. and on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the service.   The Funeral Service, conducted by Pastor Rick Woodson, is 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 21, 2018 in the chapel of Sellars Funeral Home. Interment will be in Beulah Church Cemetery, Tellico Plains TN.  Pallbearers:  Grandsons Eugene Neal, Tony Hicks, Jonathan Woodson, Michael Woodson, Matthew Sanford, and son Joe Raines.  Honorary Pallbearers:  Michael Thomas Sable, Joshua Carl Reagan, Eric Todd, Donnie Raines, James Palmer, Austin Gill, and Jarrod Gill.

               RD was born in Estill Springs TN on September 3, 1926 to the late William Walter and Laura Smith Raines. He was a painter by trade.  He married Theresa Fox on March 14, 1950 in Laurel IN.  His beloved wife Theresa preceded him in death, as well as children Margaret Lucille Price, Winters Eugene Neal, and granddaughters Patricia Tankersley, Wendy Evans, and Samantha Craddock, brothers Tommy, James, Hershel, Bill, and Buddy Raines, and sisters Mozetta Woodson and Eileen Hatten.

RD was a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for over 50 years. He served the Navajo and Ute Indian reservations in the Four Corners area of the U.S. in the late 1960s.  He tirelessly worked to support missions until his death.  He pastored 2 churches, Beulah Church in Tellico Plains TN and Hosanna Fellowship Church in Lebanon TN.  In 2001, he went on a mission trip at age 75 to Uganda East Africa.

RD was known as an Encourager to all who knew him.  He impacted countless lives by keeping the golden rule, treating others as you would like them to treat you.  He inspired the living to be good to their neighbors, and to always keep hope alive.  He was known for making others feel good about themselves, always showing love to everyone.

RD is survived by children: Patty (Jack) Amos, Rosalee (Richard) Woodson, Martha (Billy) Mullinax, Becky (Tom) Sable, Joanna (James) Reagan, Marietta (Dwain) Haley, and Joseph Aaron Raines, sisters Loretta (Harold) Moon and Bobbie Champion, 31 grandchildren, 57 great-grandchildren, and 24 great-great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the girls at Shoney’s for their care and support during his breakfasts there, and to the staff at Tennova, 2nd Floor North Tower, from Administrative to Housekeeping, they were excellent in their care for our father. In lieu of flowers, please make Memorial Donations to the Mission Fund at Hosanna Fellowship Church.  Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN, 615.444.9393.