Lowell Douglas Raker obituary

Lowell Douglas "Rooster" Raker, 69, went to be with the Lord after a lengthy illness, on Tuesday, Jan. 31, at his home in Ivan.

He was a member of Whiddon Lake Primitive Baptist Church. He was a lifetime resident of Wakulla County. He had attended college in Madison County. He was self-employed as a farmer. He owned and operated Raker Farm, and had won the title of Farm Family of the Year in 1980. He had pursued various other fields of employment, such as insurance salesman, elected school board member of Wakulla County for eight years, real estate broker who owned and operated Raker Realty, a fisherman with his Uncle Maurice Raker, aka "Uncle Brother," at West Goose Creek, owner and operater of Raker’s General Store on Highway 319. But his passion was riding his tractor.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, Feb. 2, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Bevis Funeral Home, Harvey-Young Chapel in Crawfordville. The funeral will be held on Friday, Feb. 3, at 2 p.m. at Whiddon Lake Primitive Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Whiddon Lake Cemetery. He had chosen his pallbearers to be Fred Strickland, Carl Stokley, Joe Duggar, Archie Simmons, Robin Sapp, and Pate Reynolds.

Survivors include his dedicated wife of 50 years, Janie Glover Raker; two daughters, Jan Raker and Linda Diane Vause (Wesley); a son, Lowell Douglas "Doug" Raker Jr. (Mitzi McElree); four grandchildren, Pamela Leigh Raker, Dustin Heath Raker, Gregory Wilson "GW" Stelter aka “George,” and Trey Dalton Raker; three great-grandchildren, Mahaleigh Jane Raker, Ethan Fate Raker and Easton Gage Raker; by a brother, Dural Wendell Raker (wife Mary Esther); a sister, Gail Winona Dallis (husband Alan); an uncle Maurice Raker; three aunts, Winnie Raker, Hester Smith and Lavern Stokley; three nephews, Aric and Derrick Voorting and Dural Wendell "Chip" Raker Jr.; and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He is also survived by several dear friends, Henry Vause, Tommy Posey, William Glover, who was his farming instructor, and Barry Glover, who was his farming equipment manager. He also had four step-grandchildren, Hailey McElree, Sydney McElree, Jessica Vause and Jamie Vause; and a step-great-grandchild, Jayden Vause.

He has left behind so many more special people that meant the world to him throughout his lifetime and all the visitors during the past few months, as well as those who worked for him or helped him on the farm.

Bevis Funeral Home, Harvey-Young Chapel in Crawfordville is in charge of arrangements. (850-926-3333 or bevisfh.com)