Glenda E Raines

Glenda Elaine Tipton Raines, 78, of Kilgore passed away on Wednesday, August 5, 2020, in Kilgore after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Glenda was born November 3, 1941, in Nacogdoches to Carmen (Fulmer) and W.C. Tipton. She attended Nacogdoches public schools and Stephen F. Austin State University. Through the course of her life, Glenda was a loving educator, both to her own children and to the children of several communities.
After graduating college, Glenda taught in Irving, Texas, before returning to east Texas to marry Jerry Raines in 1967. She then began teaching music in Leverett’s Chapel, Texas. After time away to start a family, she returned to teaching in the early 1980s and taught first grade in Kilgore ISD for 25 years. She loved her students, their families and the teachers with whom she taught for many years. In recent years, it has been a common occurrence for her family to hear stories from former students about the love and encouragement they received from Mrs. Raines.
Glenda was a long-time member of First Baptist Church, Kilgore. Before her illness, she volunteered in the children’s ministry and was active in the church’s prayer ministry and choir. Glenda loved others selflessly and loved her Lord. She sang songs to God every day of her life. Even as her mind forgot other things, her songs continued.
Glenda was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Jerry. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Jerry; her son, Ryan Raines, and his wife, Kathy, of Fort Worth; daughter Meredith Raines of Henderson; and grandchildren Davis, Macie (Elaine) and Riley Raines of Fort Worth and Jaxson Raines of Henderson.
Her family will honor Glenda’s life with a private graveside service. A public memorial service may be scheduled at a later date when friends and family can gather freely to share stories and memories and celebrate her life. Memorial gifts may be given to the children’s ministry at First Baptist, Kilgore.
The family would like to express their appreciation to the staffs of Arabella of Kilgore, The Willows of Kilgore and especially Compass Hospice for their love and care during Glenda’s time in assisted living.