Joseph Francis Raley, 84, Ridge

Friday, Oct. 30, 2009

Joseph Francis Raley, 84, of Ridge died Oct. 24, 2009.

Born Dec. 2, 1924, in Dameron, he was the son of the late Nettie and the late Calvert Raley. When he was 24, he married Patricia Ann Hilton at St. Michael's Catholic Church.

He was a lifelong resident of St. Mary's County. He began working as a child at his family's farm. He then worked for a time at the new Patuxent River Naval Air Station. After World War II ended, he and his brother went to work at the family grocery store, Raley's Town and Country Market, and continued there until it was sold Jan. 1, 2005.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three siblings, Marguerite Stone, Dorothy Mae Raley and Robert Raley.

In addition to his wife of 60 years, he is survived by his brother, Ross Raley of Ridge; sister, Audrey Norton of Ridge; sons, Daniel H. Raley and his wife, Ann of Great Mills, Robert Keith Raley and his wife, Brenda of Ridge and Bruce Raymond Raley and his wife, Lori of Ridge; nephew, Raymond Raley and his wife, Mary, of Ridge; grandchildren, Kathryn Raley Longmore, Scott J. Raley, Kristee Raley Ham, Kellee L. Raley, Joseph W. Raley, Megan L. Raley and Karen A. Raley; great-grandchildren, Zachary, Isabella and Gabrielle Longmore and Peyton Ham; and many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

A life celebration was held Oct. 27 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Ridge, where Mass was celebrated Oct. 28.

Pallbearers were Scott Raley, Joe Raley, Ray Raley, Jason Raley, Christopher Longmore and Jason Ham. Honorary pallbearers were Brian Hollingsworth, Donald Stone, Leon Cullison, Tom Haney, Lindy McKay, Randy Wimberly, James Eugene Spears, Martin Carroll, Joe Carroll and the members of the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 520, Ridge, MD 20680; or Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 456, Ridge, MD 20680.