Obituary of Thomas Raney

Thomas Hayden Raney, Sr. Funeral services for Thomas Hayden Raney, Sr. of Overland, MO were held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 15, 2004 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry, MO. Rev. Doug McGlaughlin, youth pastor of the First Baptist Church of Troy, MO, officiated with burial in Star Hope Cemetery near Elsberry. Serving as pallbearers were his grandchildren. Mr. Raney, 89, died Monday morning, April 12, 2004 at Gardenview Care Center in O'Fallon, MO. Born July 17, 1914 in St. James, MO, he was the son of Granvil and Berrilla "Dollie" Catherine Wells Raney. He was united in marriage in 1939 to Evelyn Stewart. He served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II from March 24, 1944 until October 21, 1944. He was employed for a number of years as a warehouse manager for Sears. He also owned a farm in Elsberry, though he only considered it a hobby. Besides his parents, Granvil and Berrilla "Dollie" Raney, he was preceded in death by four sisters: Nellie Raney, Agnes Hartigan, Lorene Taylor, and his twin, Effie Elanore Bryant; one brother, John Lewis Raney; and his beloved wife, Evelyn Raney, who died February 22, 2004. Survivors include four children: Ed Raney and his wife, Alice, of Wentzville, MO, Naomi Locke of O'Fallon, Loretta Budetti and her husband Frank, of Cincinnati, OH and Thomas Raney, Jr. of St. Ann, MO; 15 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 14, 2004 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the American Diabetes Association in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 107 South Fifth Street, Elsberry, MO 63343.