Shelly Troy Raines

Major (ret.) Shelly Troy Raines, 84, of Columbus, Georgia, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, September 18, 2016 after a valiant battle with liver cancer. Born and raised in Slocum, Texas, to W.A. "Arthur" and Mary Raines, Shelly was the youngest of six children. He attended school in the Slocum Independent School District where he graduated as Valedictorian of his class. In addition, Shelly had perfect attendance for all twelve years of school.

After graduation, Shelly attended Texas A&M to study electrical engineering on a full scholarship and served with The Fightin' Texas Aggies Corps of Cadets. Prior to graduation, Shelly left college to enlist in the United States Army and serve his country in the Korean War. After a brief tour in Korea as a war photographer, Shelly was admitted to Officer Candidate School (OCS) and received a commission as a second lieutenant.

Over the course of his impressive twenty year military career, Shelly served tours of duty worldwide including two tours in Vietnam. He received numerous battlefield commendations including the Bronze Star Medal with three oak clusters, the Air Medal, the Senior Parachutist Badge, Vietnam Service Medal with One Silver Star, Army Commendation Medal and Four Overseas Service Bars. He retired in 1973 at the rank of Major and settled in Columbus, Georgia, where he lived for over forty years.

Never wanting to be idle or unproductive, Shelly pursued many careers and avocations after retiring from the military. He worked in the insurance industry, was a jeweler, a small business owner of a computer company called Custom Computers and a nursery specializing in roses called Roseland. A self-taught computer programmer, he was hired as a programmer analyst at Blue Cross Blue Shield in the 1980s and served until he was eligible for a second retirement. Later in his life, he enjoyed utilizing his eye for jewelry not for profit, but for kindness. He was well known for carrying small pieces of jewelry in his pocket and surprising a hard working waitress or bank teller with a small token of his appreciation. He stated many times that he loved to give his jewelry away to see the smiles on the faces of the ladies he rewarded.

Shelly was an outgoing, jovial man with a hearty laugh and a deep bass voice. He sang with a quartet known as the Gospel Travelers for many years and was especially known for his rendition of "This Ol' House". He loved the Dallas Cowboys, Judge Judy, Jeopardy, and completing the newspaper crossword puzzle in ink every day. He loved the simple pleasures of life, like "great big damn pancakes" from his favorite restaurant Home Grown, in Atlanta, the satisfaction of a job well done, or growing a hybrid rose called Double Delight. He loved his many pets over the years from Tootsie, his childhood wire-haired terrier to Mitzi, Goofus, and Pierre, toy poodles he raised in later years. He was a delightful raconteur and entertained countless people with his wonderful sense of humor. He lived every day of his life on his own terms and remained independently in his own home until the time of his passing away.

While he lived most of his years in Columbus, he remained loyal to his Texan heritage and decried the lack of a good chicken fried steak anywhere else. In fact, he would often advise his children never to ask a man where he's from. Shelly would continue, if he's from Texas, he'll tell you straight out and if he's not…there's just no point in embarrassing him.

Shelly was extremely loving and proud of his two daughters,
Ann Raines Williamson, of Lilburn, Georgia, and Mary Raines Caldwell and her husband Michael, of Navarre, Florida, as well as his six grandchildren: Finley Lea Williamson V, Helen Margaret Williamson, Mary Katharine Williamson, Arthur Alexander Williamson, Hugh Anderson Caldwell, and Troy Raines Caldwell. Shelly was a beloved uncle to his many nieces and nephews. In addition, he made many friends of all ages and all walks of life.
Shelly was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Greenhaw Raines, his parents, Arthur and Mary Raines, and his five siblings Harry Lee Raines, Lillie Mae Turner, Raymond Raines, Morris "Bunchie" Raines, and Oleta "Lete" Adams.

The family will receive friends on Friday, September 23, 2016, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home, 2773 North Decatur Road, Decatur, GA 30033.
The funeral will take place on Saturday, September 24, 2016, at 3:00 pm at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, 2089 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia, 30307.

In lieu of flowers, loved ones may contribute to American Cancer Society or to the important research being performed by the Emory Winship Cancer Institute. Shelly was very grateful for the excellent care he received under Dr. Darren Kies of the Emory Interventional Radiology Department as well as all of the doctors, nurses, technicians and other staff on his care team at Winship.

Donations may be sent in the memory of Shelly T. Raines to:
Office of Gift Records
Emory University
1762 Clifton Road NE
Suite 14100
Atlanta, GA 30322


Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033