Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
BirthJan 16, 1932, Rockingham County, North Carolina [36169]
BurialSmyrna Presbyterian Church, Madison, Rockingham County, North Carolina [36169]
FatherRoy Capers CHRISMON (1896-1990)
MotherOllie Mae BROWN (1902-2002)
Spouses
Marriage1953, Reidsville, Rockingham County, North Carolina [36168]
Obituary Online notes for “Becky” Rebecca Ann CHRISMON
Rebecca “Becky” Chrismon Rakestraw, age 87, of Eden passed away Monday, November 11, 2019.
Funeral services will be held 3:00 PM Sunday November 17, 2019 at Smyrna Presbyterian Church and the burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
She was born on January 16, 1932 the daughter of Roy Capers Chrismon and Ollie Brown Chrismon and raised in Rockingham County. A graduate of Reidsville High School, she later attended the business program at Elon College.
She married her husband, Thomas Watson Rakestraw, in 1953 and was a homemaker for most of her life with her passions being baking and canning vegetables from the garden.
She read cookbooks for as long as she could and watched the cooking channel daily. Her baking specialties included her rich chocolate cake, cheese biscuits and mac n’ cheese that were staples of every family gathering, holiday and special event. Her recipes have been saved, written and printed in the Rakestraw Family Cookbook, with family members continuing her legacy by recreating them to this day.
She was a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother and was married to her husband, Watson, for 61 years until his death in 2015. She lived in Eden until 2016 and was blessed to have wonderful neighbors that she missed and cherished even with distance.
She is survived by three children; Thomas Watson Rakestraw, Jr. and wife Pam, Susan Allen and husband James, Scott Rakestraw and wife Katie. Four grandchildren; Emory Rakestraw, Graham Rakestraw, Caroline Rakestraw and Nicole Allen. Her sister and friend, Pat Chrismon Kopco and husband Bob, multiple nieces and nephews and faithful canine, Lola, who was her constant companion for the past three years.
Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Watson Rakestraw and brother Garland Chrismon.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.wilkersonfuneral.com [36169]
Funeral services will be held 3:00 PM Sunday November 17, 2019 at Smyrna Presbyterian Church and the burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
She was born on January 16, 1932 the daughter of Roy Capers Chrismon and Ollie Brown Chrismon and raised in Rockingham County. A graduate of Reidsville High School, she later attended the business program at Elon College.
She married her husband, Thomas Watson Rakestraw, in 1953 and was a homemaker for most of her life with her passions being baking and canning vegetables from the garden.
She read cookbooks for as long as she could and watched the cooking channel daily. Her baking specialties included her rich chocolate cake, cheese biscuits and mac n’ cheese that were staples of every family gathering, holiday and special event. Her recipes have been saved, written and printed in the Rakestraw Family Cookbook, with family members continuing her legacy by recreating them to this day.
She was a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother and was married to her husband, Watson, for 61 years until his death in 2015. She lived in Eden until 2016 and was blessed to have wonderful neighbors that she missed and cherished even with distance.
She is survived by three children; Thomas Watson Rakestraw, Jr. and wife Pam, Susan Allen and husband James, Scott Rakestraw and wife Katie. Four grandchildren; Emory Rakestraw, Graham Rakestraw, Caroline Rakestraw and Nicole Allen. Her sister and friend, Pat Chrismon Kopco and husband Bob, multiple nieces and nephews and faithful canine, Lola, who was her constant companion for the past three years.
Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Watson Rakestraw and brother Garland Chrismon.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.wilkersonfuneral.com [36169]
Obituary Online notes for Thomas Watson (Spouse 1)
Thomas Watson Rakestraw, 87, died at home surrounded by family and friends May 20th 2015, following a battle with cancer.
He leaves his lovely wife of 61 years, Rebecca Chrismon Rakestraw; his three children Thomas Rakestraw and wife, Pam, Susan Allen and husband, James, and Scott Rakestraw and wife Katie, his four grandchildren Emory, Graham, Caroline Rakestraw, and Nicole Allen; his family members and his dear friends.
Born and raised in Rockingham County, the son of Sam Buck and Ava Carter Rakestraw, he was a lifelong resident of Rockingham County.
Along with his parents he was preceded in death by brothers Harry, Russell, Foch and Jack Rakestraw; sisters, Nellie Rakestraw and an infant.
In his early years, Mr. Rakestraw would help on the family farm. After graduating from Wentworth High School, he attended North Carolina State University where he received his bachelor's degree in Agriculture. He and his wife Rebecca were married in Reidsville in 1953. That same year he was drafted and stationed in Germany during the Korean War.
Mr. Rakestraw taught at Ruffin High School most of his career followed by Rockingham County and Stoneville High Schools for a total of 32 years. He was passionate about educating others and the wellbeing of his students. He served as Rockingham County Commissioner for 12 years and as chairman for 5 years. His prime achievement during this time was to help establish Rockingham County High School. He worked diligently to ensure that all County students an equal education. He also enjoyed farming and gardening.
Watson loved his wife his children, his family, and the Ruffin Community. All who knew him will miss him dearly.
A funeral service will be held 2:00 PM Saturday, May 23, 2015 at Smyrma Presbyterian Church with Rev. Lee Eggers officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 6-8 at Wilkerson Funeral Home and other times at the home.
Information from Wilkerson Funeral Home. [36168]
He leaves his lovely wife of 61 years, Rebecca Chrismon Rakestraw; his three children Thomas Rakestraw and wife, Pam, Susan Allen and husband, James, and Scott Rakestraw and wife Katie, his four grandchildren Emory, Graham, Caroline Rakestraw, and Nicole Allen; his family members and his dear friends.
Born and raised in Rockingham County, the son of Sam Buck and Ava Carter Rakestraw, he was a lifelong resident of Rockingham County.
Along with his parents he was preceded in death by brothers Harry, Russell, Foch and Jack Rakestraw; sisters, Nellie Rakestraw and an infant.
In his early years, Mr. Rakestraw would help on the family farm. After graduating from Wentworth High School, he attended North Carolina State University where he received his bachelor's degree in Agriculture. He and his wife Rebecca were married in Reidsville in 1953. That same year he was drafted and stationed in Germany during the Korean War.
Mr. Rakestraw taught at Ruffin High School most of his career followed by Rockingham County and Stoneville High Schools for a total of 32 years. He was passionate about educating others and the wellbeing of his students. He served as Rockingham County Commissioner for 12 years and as chairman for 5 years. His prime achievement during this time was to help establish Rockingham County High School. He worked diligently to ensure that all County students an equal education. He also enjoyed farming and gardening.
Watson loved his wife his children, his family, and the Ruffin Community. All who knew him will miss him dearly.
A funeral service will be held 2:00 PM Saturday, May 23, 2015 at Smyrma Presbyterian Church with Rev. Lee Eggers officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 6-8 at Wilkerson Funeral Home and other times at the home.
Information from Wilkerson Funeral Home. [36168]