Daniel Lee Raby

Daniel Lee Raby, age 75, of Sweetwater, TN went to be with the Lord on Sunday morning, August 22, 2004. He was born in the Erie Community of Roane County, TN in 1929. Dan proudly served in the Army at the end of WWII in Japan. He married Myrel Hinds in 1948 and had one son, Johnny Lee. Dan was well known in the area as the “Merita Bread Salesman” for many years until he retired. After Myrel’s death, Dan married Shirley Rucker of Sweetwater. He was a long-time member of Johnson Baptist Church in Philadelphia, TN (Erie Community) but joined Lee’s Chapel in the past few years. Dan loved attending church and was a faithful friend to his pastors. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clara John (Johnnie) and Sexton (Sec) Raby, his first wife, Myrel, brothers, Alex, Bert, Stanley, Ed, and sisters, Nell Hanley and Mary Galyon. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Rucker Raby and son, Johnny and wife, Linda. Surviving Raby grandchildren are J. Mathew Raby and wife, Elizabeth in Johnson City, TN, Kara Raby and fiancé, Brian Miscio in Chattanooga, TN, and Tori Raby in Greeneville, TN and their mother, Louise Barnes. Surviving Rucker children and grandchildren are Tim Rucker and wife, Donna and their daughters, Tara and Tori, Sherry Rucker Goodman and husband, Benny Goodman and their sons, Clayton, Darron, and Daris Chamlee. Dan is also survived by his sister, Kate Alexander and husband, James, sister, Rhoda Joe Kyle, and brother, Jack Raby and wife, Lynn and Dan’s mother-in-law, Willie Mae Byrum,. There are several surviving nieces, nephews, cousins, and numerous church friends from Johnson Baptist and Lees Chapel. Especially special friends are Ted and Pat Pegram and their children, Randy and Marilyn Brannon, Junior and Linda Phillips, and Jim and Betty Lippard. Pallbearers will be Moses Maggart, Benny Goodman, Billy Goodman, Clyde Duncan, Joe Harmon, Sonny Galyon, Mike Kyle, and Charlie Brewer. The family will receive friends at Kyker Funeral Home in Sweetwater on Tuesday, August 24th from 6-9 pm. The funeral will be held at Johnson Baptist Church on August 25th, Wednesday afternoon at 1:00 pm with Rev Ted Pegram and Rev Randy Brannon officiating. The body will lie in state from noon until 1 pm. Celebrating his life in songs will be Sheb Phillips, Janie Murray, Amy Dawson, and Polly McDaniels. Rev Jim Lippard will officiate at the graveside service along with a song by John Whitehead at Sweetwater Valley Memorial Park, Sweetwater immediately following the funeral. Military honors will be provided by Sweetwater VFW Post 5156.

Daniel Lee Raby

April 27, 1929 - August 22, 2004