Clarence Raines

Clarence Edwin Raines, born August 11, 1942, passed from this earthly life on Sunday morning, March 10, 2013. As an announcement sounded that chapel was soon to begin there at the VA hospital, Clarence left us, his family and friends, many of whom were there with him. It was time to go, God's timing is perfect. He was born near Heavener, OK to parents Dorothy and Henry Raines. Heavener was his home, but he and his brothers (Clyde and Claude) spent two years (1957, 58) at Boys Ranch Town in Edmond, Oklahoma, due to their parents' illnesses. He graduated from Heavener High School, excelling in sports and leadership. He was ordained at age 18 as a Baptist minister in 1960 and served several congregations in the Heavener area. He attended Oklahoma Baptist University, and years later graduated from Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, OK, receiving a B.A. in English and Psychology. He joined the Air Force, which trained him in the Russian language. He returned to civilian life and pastored churches in Ada, Reydon, and Wakita, Oklahoma, Yates Center and Colony, Kansas. Clarence received seminary training at Midwestern Baptist Seminary and Central Baptist Seminary, both in the Kansas City area. He was a counselor at the Menninger Foundation in Topeka, KS, the Athletic Director at Boys Ranch Town, Edmond, a probation officer and later director of a four-county community probation program, based in Ottawa, KS. He served as chaplain at a women's prison in McLoud, OK. In retirement years he continued to minister in nursing homes, to perform weddings and funerals, and to home-school his sons. Clarence was preceded in death by his parents, his brother George, and his son Matthew Raines (2000). He is survived by his wife Verla, sons Dylan and Sterling Raines; his sister Judy Raines McKee, brothers Clyde and Claude and Henry Raines; former wife Sue Reeder, and multiple in-laws, nephews and nieces. Clarence was known for his deep faith in God, his intellectual curiosity and his ability to share what he knew and treasured. Memorial service is on Sunday, March 17, 4:00pm, at Dayspring Fellowship, 2217 S. Fretz, Edmond Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, donations may go to Baptist Boys Ranch Town, Edmond, Oklahoma. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Clarence Raines please visit our Sympathy Store.