Although the timeframe was sooner than those who loved him would have hoped, Joseph Raines, Jr. achieved his highest goal on Dec. 2, 2023, when he drew his final breath on Earth and moved with love and wonder into the arms of his Heavenly Father, the One he sought to understand and know more fully every moment of his life. Joseph was born in Sheridan, Indiana on Nov. 10, 1932. After growing up in New Hampshire, he joined the U.S. Navy, where he served as a quartermaster during the Korean War. He then began a 35-year civil service career for the federal government and served in various leadership capacities in naval shipyards within the U.S. and in the Philippines. Joe’s leadership abilities allowed him to have many vocational successes before he retired and moved to Foley, Alabama in 1988. Joe was a devoted family man and devout Christian. He married the love of his life, Norma Blair Raines, in 1954. They had a deep and abiding love for each other through their 69 years of marriage. He was also a long -time, faithful member of Gulf Shores First Baptist Church and Church at the Shores in Gulf Shores, Alabama. His greatest joys were spending time with his family, game nights with friends, playing golf, watching baseball, and cheering on the Crimson Tide. His ever-present smile and endless stories endeared him to everyone. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Raines, Sr. and Louise Stock Raines, his brother Gary Raines, and his sister Winifred Raines Jones. He leaves behind a devoted family, including his wife, Norma Blair Raines, and his brother, William Raines. Others include his three children: daughter Joyce Raines Woodburn (Woody), daughter Brenda Raines Grabbe (Mike), and son Michael J. Raines (Patty). He is also survived by his eight grandchildren: Lindsey Hunter (Ben), Rebekah Kennedy (Shawn), Allison Hotchkiss (Adam), Lauren Simmons, Joseph M. Raines, John Grabbe (Jennie), Michael G. Raines (Rebekkah), and Kelley Wilson (Eric). His legacy continues through his 17 great-grandchildren, who from oldest to youngest include, Nathan Hotchkiss, Kate Hunter, Jackson Hunter, Cooper Simmons, Maggie Kennedy, Caroline Hotchkiss, James Wilson, Hannah Simmons, Emily Hotchkiss, Logan Grabbe, Dominic Grabbe, Macallan Kennedy, Avery Wilson, Abigail Hotchkiss, Elliot Raines, Sydney Wilson, and Jack Raines. The family would like to give special thanks to Gentiva Hospice, various doctors and nurses, and a myriad of friends and neighbors for the wonderful care provided to Joe during his final days. A memorial service was held for Joe at Pine Rest Cemetery on Dec. 7, 2023. It was led by Dr. Shawn Kennedy, lead pastor at Church of the Shores. Joe will be missed by so many people, but most especially by his family and extended family.
