April 2022 – first united methodist church

OBITUARY

GERALD REID “JERRY” RALEY

ERWIN, TN – Mr. Gerald Reid “Jerry” Raley of Erwin, Tennessee, departed this life on Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022, after injuries sustained from a farming accident on Thursday, April 12, 2022. A service will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2022, at Erwin Presbyterian Church. Jerry was born on January 18, 1950, in Bennettsville and was the son of the late William Reid “Billy” Raley and Sara Odom Raley Knight. He graduated from Bennettsville High School in 1968. His work career consisted of being a game warden, a Fire Chief for many years in Bennettsville, and later a Fire Chief in Kingstree. He also spent many years farming and operating heavy equipment. Jerry is survived by his wife of seven years, Vickie Smith, and her wonderful family; a son, Michael Reid Raley, and his granddaughter Chloe Raley, both of Erwin, Tennessee. He is also survived by a brother, Ed Knight (Melinda) of Columbia, sisters Sally Raley Jennings (Bill) of Bennettsville, and Mary Curtis Knight Broome (Bill) of Winston Salem, NC; nieces Michelle, Corinne, Ellen, Ashley, Hannah, and nephews Ryan and Rob; a special aunt, Tri Odom, and cousin, Jenny Odom Gantt. Jerry was preceded in death by his first wife, Jane Shoaf Raley, and other special relatives. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 311 East Main Street, Bennettsville, S.C. Jerry taught Sunday School there for many years and there was a Sunday School Class at the church named in honor of Jerry and Sally’s father, Billy Raley.