Mary Raines

Raines ~ Mary’s Life…..

The beginning:  Mary L. Raines was born to the union of Rudolph Raines and Gertrude Harper.  She was reared and received her education in local schools in Jacksonville, Florida.  She accepted Christ at an early age.

Her Life:  She was blessed with a beautiful Princess, Casha Winters and two Prince, Laron L. Winters and Jamane L. Woods.  For over thirty years she gave countless hours with St. Catherine Nursing & Rehabilitation Center; she retired as dietary manager.  Her job of helping and serving people wasn’t completed.  She did part-time work with local daycares as a teacher and as a poll worker with Jacksonville’s Voting Precinct.  She volunteered in the community with various nursing homes, schools, her church and wherever she could render her services and telling others of the Love of God.  She was a faithful member of The Heirs Church (formerly Joint Heirs) under the leadership of Dr. David M. Thomas.  She sang hymns in the choir, greeted God’s people as they entered into His house until her health began to decline.

Her Hobbies:  She loved helping people, sharing the Word of God, leading a prayer line in the mornings, singing hymns of Zion, enjoying her children, church family, visiting the sick, making gift baskets and delivering to various nursing homes.  But most of all she loved decorating the outside of her house for each one of her children and grand-children’s birthdays.  She always shared an inspiring message to anyone who she came in contact with.

Her Legacy:  Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Rudolph Raines & Gertrude Harper; siblings, Patricia Donaldson and Rudolph Raines.  She leaves to cherish her Love of God to her children, Casha Winters, Laron Winters (Latonya) and Jamane Woods;  grandchildren, Tiffiany, Toriey (Angie), and Tristie Johnson, Tomja Steele, Taylor Weatherington, Ron’nae, Ron’nia, Laron Jr Winters; great-granson, Camron Vanlong, Jr.; siblings,  Louise, Amanda, Gertrude, and Doretha Harper, Willie Bessie (Earl) Robinson, Sharon (Tony) Tyson, Cliff, Willie, Charles and David Harper; aunt, Betty Jean Noland; a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, her church family, other relatives and friends.

The End:  On Sunday, November 7, 2021, God spoke to Sister Mary and said, “His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”  Matthew 25:23.  She therefore, in her own way whispered to her children and grand-children and told them she’s entering into her final resting place. 

Celebration of Life service for Mrs. Mary L. Raines will be 1:00PM Saturday, November 20, 2021 at The Heir Church, 159 Clark Road.  Visitation Friday from 5 – 7:00 PM at The Soutel Chapel.  Because of the love of her family, arrangements entrusted to J. E. Fralin & Sons Funeral & Cremation Services, 5065 Soutel Drive, 904-924-9400

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