Lillian Martin Raney (February 2, 1946 - June 16, 2023) passed away peacefully surrounded by her family after a courageous journey with Alzheimer’s.
Lillian, also affectionately known as Lala and Jeorje to her family and close friends, was born in Alexandria, VA, but she spent most of her life in Thomasville, GA. She graduated with honors from Thomasville High School and was named Valedictorian in 1964. Receiving the Georgia State Teacher Scholarship and the Pines Scholarship Merit Award, she attended Georgia Southern University and pursued a degree in Early Childhood Education. While in college, she met her future husband, Bill Raney. With a passion for the Lord and people, they settled into Thomasville and started their family.
Lillian impacted countless lives in her first grade classrooms at Balfour and Scott Elementary Schools. She used her creative skills to teach her students how to become lifelong learners. In 1970, she received the Jaycees Outstanding Young Educator Award. She was nominated to Leaders of Elementary Education and was featured in the National volume of Outstanding Young Women of America in 1971. After 13 years as an educator, she decided to pursue a new career with Bill in his State Farm Insurance business. Lillian’s ability to match proper insurance coverage with individual needs was unsurpassed. While at State Farm, Lillian became one of the top sales agents in the office and because of her hard work and dedication, she was able to help Bill earn numerous trips. Together they were able to travel the world and make lifelong memories.
Lillian was an active member of First Baptist Church where she sang in the adult choir, served on multiple mission teams, taught second grade Sunday School, and was an active member of her Sunday school class. With a passion for the Lord and for flowers, she created a ministry where for many years she delivered bouquets of fresh flowers to residents of nursing homes throughout the community.
Lillian loved her community. She served on the YMCA Youth Work committee and was an advisor for Tri-Hi-Y clubs. She was also an officer in the Granada Garden Club and was an active member of the Junior Service League. In 1993 she participated in Leadership 2000 which was sponsored by the Thomasville Chamber Of Commerce. From 1978-2020, Lillian worked alongside her husband, Bill, serving fruit and fluids to the participants of the Rose City Walk and Rose City Run.
Lillian loved her family and also her friends who were her extended family. Laughter was an everyday part of life and she enjoyed creating circumstances that caused others to laugh.
Lillian is survived by her husband of 55 years, Bill Raney; her two daughters, Leigh Raney Barwick (Ken) of Thomasville, GA and Leslie Raney Pegram (Lynn) of Pooler, GA; three grandchildren: Benjamin Barwick, Bryce Barwick, and Jakob Pegram. She is also survived by her sister; Linda Martin Weaver (Alwin) of Albany, GA. Lillian was preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy Martin, father, Joseph Martin, and brother, David Martin.
The family would like to give a special thanks to the members of Abide Home Care and the Kindred Hospice team. The following ladies provided exceptional care and the family is so grateful to Mary, Natalie, Cierra, and Erica for their devotion and love.
There will be a celebration of life on Tuesday, June 20 at 2:00 at First Baptist Church. Visitation will be held at Allen and Allen Funeral Home on Monday, June 19 from 5:00 – 7:00. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Thomasville YMCA, Halcyon Home or Thomasville First Baptist Church.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lillian Juanita Raney, please visit our flower store.
Lillian, also affectionately known as Lala and Jeorje to her family and close friends, was born in Alexandria, VA, but she spent most of her life in Thomasville, GA. She graduated with honors from Thomasville High School and was named Valedictorian in 1964. Receiving the Georgia State Teacher Scholarship and the Pines Scholarship Merit Award, she attended Georgia Southern University and pursued a degree in Early Childhood Education. While in college, she met her future husband, Bill Raney. With a passion for the Lord and people, they settled into Thomasville and started their family.
Lillian impacted countless lives in her first grade classrooms at Balfour and Scott Elementary Schools. She used her creative skills to teach her students how to become lifelong learners. In 1970, she received the Jaycees Outstanding Young Educator Award. She was nominated to Leaders of Elementary Education and was featured in the National volume of Outstanding Young Women of America in 1971. After 13 years as an educator, she decided to pursue a new career with Bill in his State Farm Insurance business. Lillian’s ability to match proper insurance coverage with individual needs was unsurpassed. While at State Farm, Lillian became one of the top sales agents in the office and because of her hard work and dedication, she was able to help Bill earn numerous trips. Together they were able to travel the world and make lifelong memories.
Lillian was an active member of First Baptist Church where she sang in the adult choir, served on multiple mission teams, taught second grade Sunday School, and was an active member of her Sunday school class. With a passion for the Lord and for flowers, she created a ministry where for many years she delivered bouquets of fresh flowers to residents of nursing homes throughout the community.
Lillian loved her community. She served on the YMCA Youth Work committee and was an advisor for Tri-Hi-Y clubs. She was also an officer in the Granada Garden Club and was an active member of the Junior Service League. In 1993 she participated in Leadership 2000 which was sponsored by the Thomasville Chamber Of Commerce. From 1978-2020, Lillian worked alongside her husband, Bill, serving fruit and fluids to the participants of the Rose City Walk and Rose City Run.
Lillian loved her family and also her friends who were her extended family. Laughter was an everyday part of life and she enjoyed creating circumstances that caused others to laugh.
Lillian is survived by her husband of 55 years, Bill Raney; her two daughters, Leigh Raney Barwick (Ken) of Thomasville, GA and Leslie Raney Pegram (Lynn) of Pooler, GA; three grandchildren: Benjamin Barwick, Bryce Barwick, and Jakob Pegram. She is also survived by her sister; Linda Martin Weaver (Alwin) of Albany, GA. Lillian was preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy Martin, father, Joseph Martin, and brother, David Martin.
The family would like to give a special thanks to the members of Abide Home Care and the Kindred Hospice team. The following ladies provided exceptional care and the family is so grateful to Mary, Natalie, Cierra, and Erica for their devotion and love.
There will be a celebration of life on Tuesday, June 20 at 2:00 at First Baptist Church. Visitation will be held at Allen and Allen Funeral Home on Monday, June 19 from 5:00 – 7:00. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Thomasville YMCA, Halcyon Home or Thomasville First Baptist Church.
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