Carroll Raines Jr.

Carroll Raines Jr was born May 6, 1940 in Petersburg, Virginia to Carroll Raines Sr and Louise Raines. He was the second of four children, Marlene (Deceased), Fred and Stephen. 

In his early years in Petersburg, he was an athlete playing multiple sports; tennis, baseball and basketball. He loved cars, the faster the better and he loved being dressed to the 9s, as dapper as he could. Eventually, he would earn an auto mechanics degree from Virginia State University in 1963. 

He was always good with his hands. He always liked to tinker, which turned into a career when he moved to Richmond, VA and was hired by AMF Bakery Systems in 1964 as an electrician. Carroll worked at AMF until he retired in 2004. Forty years, with one company, one job. A job that gave him dignity, respect and would eventually allow him to be a provider for a wife and four children. 

While working at AMF, in 1965, Carroll enlisted in the Army Reserves. He was honorably discharged in 1969.

Carroll was married to Helen Raines (Deceased) in 1972, when they started a family along with Russell and Lisa from Helen’s previous marriage. Then came Brandon and Candace from Carroll and Helen’s marriage. They lived as a complete family, Carroll being a loving father to all his children. 

Carroll passed away at the age of 84. 

He is survived by his children; Lisa, her husband William, Russell and his wife Brenda, Brandon and his wife Nikki, and Candace; his brothers Fred and Stephen; grandchildren, Nashay, Devontae, Maya, Benjamin and Mackenzie; a host of nephews,nieces,cousins and beloved friends, one of which was his caregiver Ewan Harris. 

Carroll Raines Jr was beloved by his family. Whether you called him Duke, Brother, Ray, Dad, he was loved, admired and respected. He showed us all the meaning of hard work. He brought smiles to our faces as well as the occasional groan. His love for his family and friends was fierce which endeared him to us all. Even in his final days, he would often say, he lived a good life. So as you think about him in his passing or the inevitable days after, know that he loved you and he’ll be alright. As he would say, ‘God willing and the creek don’t rise.’