Rev.Jerold Donald "J.D." Raines, and also affectionately known as "Squeaky" or "Uncle Squeaky", age 82, passed away early in the morning in his home to his heavenly home on October 14, 2018 with his family by his side.
He was born on June 7, 1936in Silerton, TN to Otha E. Raines and Opal May Gee Raines. He left home at the age of 16 and was a car hop and cook at a restaurant in Milan. From there, he joined and served in the Army National Guard receiving an Honorable Discharge on November 30, 1962. Mr. Raines had a very close relationship with the Lord throughout his life and he received his license to preach on December 20, 1965 at Bethel Baptist Church in Henderson, TN and became an ordained minister on January 1, 1969.As a young boy growing up, he was a member of Silerton United Methodist Church. He was active in many churches throughout West Tennessee and neighboring states.
He did various jobs from a car hop to driving a milk truck until he was hired on with Gulf, Mobile, and Ohio (GM&O) Railroad where he worked his way up to Conductor of Illinois Central Gulf (ICG) Railroad retiring after 26 years of work and service riding thousands of rail miles. He also had a fleet of 18 wheel trucks and he hauled grain, poultry, logs, and a sawmill through the mountains at one time. In his later years he drove a charter bus for C.H. Bus Lines. He was also a member of the United Transportation Union for over 40 years and the Brotherhood of Railroad Train Men.
Revered Raines also supported the 2nd Amendment Right and believed strongly in the freedom and safety of the 2nd Amendment. He was an NRA Golden Eagle.
Rev. Raines also supports St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Operation Smile for children born with facial deformities.
He also would do whatever he could to assist the crippled or disabled in his everyday life if it was just assisting through a door or even holding their arm as he worked with them to the pre op rooms at the hospital. He was very fond and had a deep care and love in his heart for the crippled and disabled people and even more so because of what his brother, Dwight, who preceded him in death, who was crippled from polio and his special needs grandson, Hayden. Hayden also gave and taught him. He also taught his children that same respect, care, and love.
Rev. Raines was very strong in his beliefs of the Lord Jesus and he would let you know that, too, being a called man of God. He believed strongly in the power and the love of God, our Father and his son, Jesus Christ, and had a very deep relationship with our creator and wanted to extend that love wherever and however he could.
Rev. Raines was a very great father and man of God, but he humbly called himself a child of God. There is nothing he would not do to provide for his children, family, home, friends, and anyone in the world around him.
Rev. Raines is preceded in death by his parents, Otha and Opal; his sister, Otha Faye; his brothers, Jack Raines, Duane Raines, Dwight Raines, and Lane Raines.
He is survived by his ex-wife, Barbara Raines, and their children, Amanda Morisch Holley, William Craig Raines, and Tanya Warren; and a daughter from a previous marriage, Paula Jean Lowery. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Seargava Wyatt, Joy Neese, Brenda Parchman, Sylvia Alexander, Marilyn Weaver, Carla Turner, and Charlotte Raines, and many loved nieces and nephews.
Rev. Rains is preceded in death by his parents, Otha and Opal
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