Rev. Jesse James Raven

Dr. J.J. Raven was born in Marshall, Texas, on April 23, 1926, to the late Paten and Marendie Raven. He was the sixth child of ten children. He attended and graduated from Mt. Pleasant School in Marshall and was an excellent scholar.

He attended Mt. Pleasant Church where he accepted Christ. Dr. Raven later moved to Dallas, Texas, where he was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean War. After two years of service, he was honorably discharged.

Dr. Raven met and married the love of his life, Rocelia Minefee, and to this union one child was born.

He worked for and retired after 25 years from Oak Farms Dairy.

He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Timothy, Eugene, Charles, Willie, and J.D.; and one sister, Mattie Brown.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 68 years, Rocelia Raven; daughter, Helen Wallace (Bill); one sister, Genevia Edmon; two brothers, John Raven (Odessa) and James Raven (Dorothy); two sisters-in-law, Vergie L. Raven of Oakland, California, and Georgia Raven Rosborough of Marshall, Texas; two grandchildren, Edwin Wallace and Jessica Wallace-Anderson (Chris); three great-grandchildren, Damorion, Camorrya and A’nyyh Anderson; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, friends, and the Greater Progressive Baptist Church family.