Maude McGhee Rakes

Mary Maude McGhee Rakes, of Vinton, formerly of Ferrum and Collinsville, VA passed away Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at Cedars Healthcare Center in Charlottesville. She was born on March 12, 1928, the ninth of ten children of the late Walter Elmer McGhee and Alma Sink McGhee of Nola, Franklin county, VA. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband and several of her siblings: Curtis McGhee, Lena McGhee Ruff, Lowell McGhee, Kyle McGhee, Hampton McGhee, Lucille McGhee Stowell, Frank McGhee and Edith McGhee Sigmon. Maude graduated from Ferrum High School in 1945 and married the late Bennie Louis Rakes on Valentine’s Day, 1947. They lived in the Collinsville and Henry Country area for most of their lives. While living in Collinsville, VA, Maude had several memorable jobs, including driving a school bus and managing the local High’s Ice Cream Store where she made many friends and acquaintances. She and her husband Bennie were married for 52 years and had a second home in Haines City, FL from 1985 until 2008. She enjoyed escaping the cold Virginia winter months and socializing with other “snow birds” while her husband Bennie enjoyed golf and fishing. The Rakes’ were members of the Smith Memorial United Methodist Church, Collinsville, VA where they lived for 33 years. Maude worked with the senior citizens of the church and lead the Travel Club on many trips all over the United States. She later moved her church membership to Thrasher Memorial Methodist Church in 2008 when she moved to Vinton, VA. She is survived by her four children and their spouses; Louis Jeffery (Jeff) and Linda Rakes of Vinton, VA, Sheila Rakes of Virginia Beach, VA, Mark and Julie Rakes of Richmond, VA and Dr. Gary and Beverly Rakes of Charlottesville, VA. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Maude is also survived by a sister, Hester McGhee DePue, Alexandria, brother-in-law Robert Stowell, Fredericksburg, sister-in-law’s, Velma Hopkins McGhee, Fieldale, Adell Orlofsky McGhee, Annandale, VA along with numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, June 18, 2017, at the Lynch Conner-Bowman Funeral Home in Rocky Mount, VA. with the Reverend Randall Blankenship of Newcastle, VA. officiating. Relatives and friends may visit Mrs. Rakes one hour prior to the service at the Funeral Home. She will be buried alongside of her husband Bennie at the Ferd and Walter McGhee Family Cemetery, near Ferrum, VA. The family would like to thank Cedars Healthcare Center for the wonderful care that they gave to their mom during her later days. Arrangements by Lynch Conner Bowman Funeral Home, 140 Floyd Avenue, Rocky Mount, VA 24151 (540) 483-5533