Hattiesburg
Funeral Home
Hulett-Winstead FUNERAL HOME
Visitation
9-11 AM Thursday, October 26, 2023, 38th Avenue Baptist Church, Hattiesburg, MS
Service
11 AM Thursday, October 26, 2023, 38th Avenue Baptist Church, Hattiesburg, MS
Obituary
Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard. “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten”
In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.
Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on October 22, 2023, and has moved on to his heavenly home. Colonel Elton P. Raby, Jr (Ret), age 90, who had served within the 114th Area Support Group and HQ STARC has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord.
It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country. A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.
Rest in Peace Soldier. We applaud your patriotism and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright and live so free.
You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.
Another great Soldier has gone home, “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten, Soldier for Life”.
Obituary, Visitation, and Service details:
Services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, October 26, 2023 at 38th Avenue Baptist Church for Mr. Elton P. Raby, Jr., 90, of Hattiesburg, MS, who was reunited with family and friends in heaven on Sunday, October 22, 2023. He was born on January 9, 1933, in New Orleans, to Elton P. Raby Sr. and Celia Anderson Raby.
Interment will be in Highland Cemetery.
Elton graduated from Picayune High School and went on to Pearl River Community College. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Mississippi State University, and Masters and E.E.D. from the University of Southern Mississippi. He was employed by the Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service of Mississippi State University as a county agent; an area 4-H Youth Agent and later promoted to District Program Leader for Agriculture and Natural Resources. He served in the Southeast district program leader for agricultural programs for 30 years.
He entered the army in 1950 and retired in 1976 with the rank of Colonel. During his military service he was a paratrooper and served in the far east, Japan, and Korea during his active military service and then the Mississippi National Guard. He was a member of the American Legion and several other civic organizations. Elton was a member of 38th Avenue Baptist Church serving as a Sunday School teacher and a deacon for over 50 years. He loved country music and sang in the church choir most of his life. He especially loved hunting, fishing, and working in his garden. He dearly loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Ronald (Carolyn) Raby and Don (Charrie) Raby.
He is survived by his wife of almost 68 years, Joyce Duncan Raby, and his children: Elton Peter Raby III, Ellen Raby Pearson, and Susan (Jeffrey) Hood; four grandchildren, Jennifer (Jon) Goldman, Jason Pearson, Laura Lee Pearson, and Rebecca (Matthew) Durand; five great-grandchildren include Lily Joyce Goldman, Cooper Ward Goldman, Peyton Cole Durand, Zachary Addison Durand, and Andrew Christopher Durand, and a number of nieces and nephews, as well.
Memorials may be made the Samaritan’s Purse in care of 38th Avenue Baptist Church.
Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM Thursday, October 26, 2023 at 38th Avenue Baptist Church.