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A father's pride — the embrace that says everything words cannot
Gerald W. Raines Sr.
1955 — 2014
In Loving Memory of
1955 — December 14, 2014
A faithful servant, a devoted father, and a friend to all who knew him. His love knew no distance, and his door was always open.
You found Dad's star — the brightest one in the sky.
No matter how dark the night gets, look up. He's right there, shining down on you — watching every graduation, every first step, every quiet moment when you need him most.
He never left. He just moved to a place where he could watch over all of you at once.
A Life of Love & Service
Gerald W. Raines Sr. was a man whose presence filled every room he entered — not with volume, but with warmth, faith, and an unmistakable spirit of generosity. At 59 years old, he left behind a legacy that cannot be measured in years, but in the countless lives he touched and the love he freely gave to everyone around him.
As a proud father to Gerald Jr., Kristina, and M'rinda — children he shared with his first wife, D'rinda Raines, who passed away in 1999 — he was their rock, their champion, and their greatest source of encouragement. He later found love again with Dodi, who brought renewed joy and companionship to his life. As a loving brother to Angela, he was a lifelong companion and protector.
Gerald was a man of deep and unwavering faith. He was a staple in his church, known for his steady presence and his willingness to serve in any way needed. His faith wasn't just something he practiced on Sundays — it was woven into every action, every word, and every relationship in his life.
When he wasn't serving his family or his church, you could find Gerald at the bowling alley, doing what he loved — bowling with the friends who became family. He had a way of turning any gathering into a celebration, and his laughter was contagious.
Above all, Gerald was the person you called when you needed help. He was always just one phone call away — whether it was a ride, a listening ear, a helping hand, or simply someone to sit with you when the world felt heavy. He helped everyone he could, whenever he could, without hesitation and without keeping score.
A father's pride — the embrace that says everything words cannot
A Letter to Dad
Dear Dad...
There are days when I pick up the phone to call you before I remember. It's been years now, and my fingers still reach for your number when something good happens — or when the world gets heavy and I just need to hear you say, “It's gonna be alright.”
I see you in everything. In the sound of bowling pins crashing on a Saturday night. In the way a stranger holds the door open for someone behind them. In every church hymn that starts slow and builds until the whole room is on their feet. That was you, Dad. You were the hymn that lifted the room.
You taught us that love isn't a word — it's a phone call at 2 AM, a ride across town in the rain, a hand on someone's shoulder when they didn't even know they needed it. You never kept score. You never asked for anything in return. You just showed up. Every single time.
The hardest part isn't the big moments — the graduations, the holidays, the milestones. The hardest part is the ordinary ones. A Tuesday evening when the house is quiet and I think, “Dad would've called by now.”
But here's what I know: you're not gone. You live in the way we love each other. In the way Gerald Jr. shows up for his family. In Kristina's strength. In M'rinda's heart. In the faith you planted in all of us that grows taller every year. You're in every room we walk into, because you taught us how to fill a room the way you did — with warmth, with laughter, with love.
We miss you every day, Dad. But we carry you with us everywhere we go.
With all our love, forever — Your Kids
The things that defined him
A cornerstone of his church community, Gerald led by example. His faith was not just spoken — it was lived in every act of kindness, every prayer, and every moment of service to others.
Husband, father, brother — Gerald poured his heart into his family. From graduations to holiday gatherings, he was the steady, loving presence that held everyone together.
No matter the hour, no matter the need — Gerald was there. He helped everyone he could, whenever he could, and never thought twice about it.
The bowling alley was his second home. Gerald brought the same joy and camaraderie to the lanes that he brought to everything in life — laughter, friendship, and a competitive spirit.
A life in photographs
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The words we still hear in our hearts
“It's gonna be alright. I promise you, it's gonna be alright.”
When the world felt like it was falling apart
“I'm on my way.”
Before you even finished asking
“That's my baby right there.”
At every graduation, every game, every moment of pride
“You don't have to do this alone. That's what I'm here for.”
Every time you tried to carry it all yourself
“Let me tell you something — God's got a plan for you.”
When doubt crept in
“Y'all ready to bowl or what?”
Every Saturday, without fail
“Come here, let me tell you something — I love you. You know that, right?”
More times than you could ever count
“I don't care what time it is. Call me.”
And he always, always answered
“It's gonna be alright. I promise you, it's gonna be alright.”
When the world felt like it was falling apart
“I'm on my way.”
Before you even finished asking
“That's my baby right there.”
At every graduation, every game, every moment of pride
“You don't have to do this alone. That's what I'm here for.”
Every time you tried to carry it all yourself
“Let me tell you something — God's got a plan for you.”
When doubt crept in
“Y'all ready to bowl or what?”
Every Saturday, without fail
“Come here, let me tell you something — I love you. You know that, right?”
More times than you could ever count
“I don't care what time it is. Call me.”
And he always, always answered
The little things that meant everything
Every chapter mattered
1955
Gerald Wayne Raines Sr. was born — a boy who would grow into a man that touched more lives than he would ever know.
The Early Years
Even as a young man, Gerald had a gift for making people feel seen. His faith took root early, and it never wavered.
Love Found
He found his partner in D'rinda Raines. Together they built a family, a home, and a legacy of love that would outlast them both.
Fatherhood
Gerald Jr., Kristina, and M'rinda — three children who became the center of his universe. He was the father every child deserves.
1999
D'rinda passed away, leaving a void no one could fill. But Gerald carried on with grace — raising his children, leaning on his faith, and never letting the light go out.
Love Again
God brought Dodi into Gerald's life — a second chance at love and companionship. She brought renewed joy to his world, and together they shared a beautiful chapter.
Every Sunday
Gerald was a pillar of his church. His faith wasn't just belief — it was action. He served, he prayed, he showed up.
Every Saturday
Strikes, spares, and a whole lot of laughter. The lanes were where Gerald's friendships deepened into family.
Always
Day or night, rain or shine. Gerald was the person everyone called — and he always answered. Always.
December 14, 2014
At 59, Gerald was called to his eternal rest. But the love he planted in every heart he touched — that will never die.
The people who meant everything to him
Gerald's greatest blessing was his family. He cherished every moment — every holiday gathering, every graduation, every quiet evening at home. His love was the foundation that held them all together, and his memory continues to unite them in strength and grace.
Forever in Our Hearts
Time since we last held your hand
Click each candle to light it in his memory
Each flame is a prayer, a memory, a piece of love that will never go out.
The Empty Chair
There's a place at the table where you used to sit,
a chair that stays empty, though we've never moved it.
There's a voice in the hallway we still sometimes hear,
a laugh in the kitchen that brings us to tears.
There's a phone that won't ring with your name on the screen,
a hug we keep reaching for, somewhere in between.
But there's also a warmth that we carry inside,
a faith that you gave us, a love that won't hide.
So we set the chair empty and whisper your name,
and know that you're with us — forever the same.
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Until we meet again, Dad. Your love lives on in every one of us — in the way we show up for each other, in the faith you planted in our hearts, and in the laughter that still echoes through every room you once filled.