Mildred Raines

Mildred Shaver Raines, 89, of Chattanooga, died Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013. A native of Dayton, Tenn., she was born to Dima Sparks and John Hudson Shaver, July 25, 1924 in Dayton. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, William Basil Raines Sr.; and her sister, Kathrine Shaver Pegues; and brother, Olin Shaver. She was secretary of White Oak Elementary School for 25 years. She was loved and liked by teachers, students and parents. The Parent Teachers Association presented her with a Life Time Membership into the Tennessee Congress of Parents and Teachers. She was an avid gardener and had an acclaimed "green thumb." With her husband, they enjoyed living in Pensacola, Fla., for a number of years but in later years returned to Tennessee to be near family. At their "get away" cabin, they celebrated life and fellowship with family and friends at Wolftever Fishing Club for many years. She is survived by her two sons and daughter-in-laws, William (Bill) Raines Jr. and Jerrie Jonakin Raines, DDS; and John Robert (Bob) Raines and Jan Fort Raines; six grandchildren, Dr. Jean E. (Raines) Lessly, of Nashville, Rev. Philip A. Raines, of Winston-Salem, N.C., John William Raines, of London, England, Will Jonakin Raines (17), of Chattanooga, Jason Raines of Washington State and, Robin (Raines) Medeiros, of Signal Mountain; and seven great-grandchildren, Sabrina and Julia Lessly, of Nashville, Toby, Tabitha and Thad Raines, of Washington State and Juliana and Alyssa Medeiros, of Signal Mountain. She was a member of Red Bank UMC and a member of her cousin Joe Guthrie's Sunday School Class. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. ESTon Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014, at Red Bank UMC with grandson Rev. Philip Raines officiating as well as Rev. Jeff Lambert. Private burial will be at Rankin Cemetery, Dunlap, Tenn. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Dr., Chattanooga, TN 37416. Arrangements by Ewton Funeral Home, 6936 Highway 28, Dunlap, TN 37327. www.ewtonfuneralhome.com (423-949-2112).