Joseph Gordon Raines was born on June 7, 1940 in Welborn, Florida to Woodrow and Louise Raines. The family settled in Thomasville, Ga where they attended the 1st Baptist Church and Joe accepted Christ as his Savior. Joe attended Thomasville High where he played drums in the band and was Captain of the Basketball team, and on graduation attended North Georgia College where he met his wife Etta Rhodes.
After graduating from NGC, Joe served as a US Army infantry officer with the 1st Cavalry Division in Korea and the 101st Airborne Division in Kentucky. Joe and Etta married in 1965 and were blessed with two children, and Joe worked for Sears Logistics Services for over 30 years.
Joe was a faithful member of Parkwood Baptist church in Jacksonville for 24 years before moving to Saint Johns County in 1998 where he joined Fruit Cove Baptist. Joe was actively involved in helping with a church plant (Cross Point), Sunday school leadership, and enjoyed being a part of the loving Fruit Cove Baptist Church family.
Joe leaves in his passing, wife Etta Rhodes Raines, son Joey, daughter in law Cathy, daughter Roben Iller, Son In Law Tim Iller, Grandchildren Joanna Mckinney (husband Reid), Rob Raines, Grayson Iller, Walker Iller and great grandson Jack Mckinney.
