Bennett Rai Irby Raynes

Bennett Rai Irby Raynes, 76, of Clarence, La., went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, August 14, 2007, following a lengthy illness. Born March 20, 1931, Mrs. Raynes was the third child born to Reginald Dewey and Iona Emilene Hale Irby, who predeceased her. Mrs. Raynes was a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Natchitoches, and a former member of Clarence Baptist Church, where she served faithfully in various ministries but her greatest ministry was that of a wife and mother to nine children. She also worked as Postmaster of the Clarence Post Office for many years before opening her own day care center, the Sunny Day Nursery in Natchitoches. Mrs. Raynes' greatest joys in life were her family, her friends, and her love of gardening, sewing and singing. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Raynes was also predeceased by her husband of 55 years, James Kenneth Raynes; brothers, Kenneth Irby and Sonny Irby; sisters, Billie Guilliams and Shirley Fredieu. She is survived by her children, Linda Raynes Brister (Dewayne) of Baton Rouge, James Kenneth Raynes, Jr. (Dorothy) of Clarence, Robert Alvin Raynes (Jill) of Campti, Laird Martin Raynes of Mt. Pleasant, Texas, Joy Raynes Boyt, Sharon Raynes Durr (Kenny), Gilbert Bradford Raynes (Tammy), Christy Raynes Ferguson (Stanley), and Vanessa Raynes Stanfield (Chris) all of Natchitoches. Mrs Raynes is also survived by her grandchildren, Amy Morris, Jeremy Brister, Patricia Possoit, Kenny Raynes, Jason Raynes, Justin Raynes, Rebecca Raynes, Courtney Raynes, Derek Boyt, Zack Boyt, Rachel Boyt, Hona Martin, Kelvin Durr, Jessica Ferguson, Kelley Ferguson, Andy Ferguson, Aaron Stanfield, Adam Stanfield, and Cara Stanfield, great-grandchildren, Hudson, Cailin, Kyle, Kayla, Haley, Amber, Madison, Dalton, De'Anna, Larissa, Jackson, Lily, Harrison, James Dylan, Joel, and Joshua. Others left to cherish her memory are her sister-in-law, Merle Vercher Thomposn of Mt. Home, Arkansas; brother-in-law, William Fredieu of Campti, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. Services will be held Friday, August 17, 2007 at 10 AM in Trinity Baptist Church with burial in Memory Lawn Cemetery. Pastor Ron Thompson of Trinity Baptist Church will be officiating. Visitation will be held in Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home on Thursday, August 16, 2007 from 5 PM until 9 PM and on Friday, August 17, 2007 from 9 AM until service time in the church. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Jeremy, Jason, Justin, Derek, Zack, Kelvin, Randall, Andy, Aaron, and Adam. Honorary pallbearers will be Woody Cox, Cecil Stringer, Bill Fredieu, Jimmy Maricelli, Boyd Durr, Riley Stanfield, Jimmy Thompson, and Doyle Alldredge. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to all of Mrs. Raynes' caregivers at the Natchitoches Regional Medical Center, Louisiana Extended Care Hospital, and the Natchitoches Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. A very special "thank you" is extended to Drs. Mary Long, Michelle Mayeux, Chris Ingram, Bill Ball, Javier Pere', and to all of the compassionate nursing staff of NRMC ICU.