Bob Raines

Bob Gene Raines ABINGDON, Va. Dr. Bob Gene Raines professor emeritus of Emory & Henry College, passed Friday morning, Dec. 18, 2009, in Abingdon. Bob Raines was born in Dickenson County, Va., in 1935, and graduated from Clintwood High School in Clintwood, Va., in 1954. He earned a bachelor of arts in physics at Berea College in Berea, Ky., and later completed a master of arts in teaching in mathematics at University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va., where he continued on to complete a doctor of education in curriculum and instruction with a specialty in mathematics education. His other graduate studies include physics at Washington University, and mathematics at George Peabody College and the University of Chicago. In 1959, Bob became a teacher of physics and mathematics at Abingdon High School, instructor of mathematics at Emory & Henry College, principal of John S. Battle High School in Bristol Virginia, associate professor of mathematics and director of admissions for Clinch Valley College in Wise, Va., and served the Washington County Virginia Public Schools first as assistant superintendent, deputy superintendent for instruction, then as superintendent of schools. From 1981 until his retirement in 2000, Dr. Raines served Emory & Henry College continuously as professor of mathematics and education, as director of the William N. Neff Center for teacher education, and in numerous other key roles. Beginning in 1988, Bob was a primary organizer and supporter of the Annual Education Forum. In 2006, at the 18th Annual Education Forum, the event was re-named "The B.G. Raines Education Forum" in his honor. After his retirement in 2000 with 20 years service, he continued to serve Emory & Henry part-time. For decades, Bob taught graduate classes and conducted workshops for teachers throughout Southwest Virginia and East Tennessee, was an active member and officer at the local, state, national, and international level in numerous professional organizations, including the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and served on the McGlothlin Foundation Committee to observe, interview, and select outstanding teachers in Southwest Virginia. Bob's numerous awards included the Emory & Henry College Excellence in Teaching Award, Phi Delta Kappa Southwest Virginia Teacher of The Year, Dr. John Davis Award for Distinguished Teaching and Service, received the Service Award from the Southwest Virginia Council of Mathematics, the Southwest Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics Distinguished Service Award, recipient of the Appalachian Center for Community Service Hope Award, recipient of The John Davis Distinguished Leadership Award in Virginia, and in 2005, Emory & Henry established a "Bob G. Raines Scholarship". Bob has been a faithful and proud Kawanian for 25 years of service. Bob was preceded by his father, Noah Raines; and mother, Blanche Raines of Clintwood; and his infant brother, Edward; and by his wife, Shirley Johnson Raines, formerly of Corbin, Ky., and of Abingdon. Bob's surviving family include his sister, Lynn Raines Carter and her husband Doug of Roanoke, Va,; his wife, Juanita Raines of Abingdon; and her son, David Lashlee, wife Amy and son, Jacob of Stafford, Va., Megan Lashlee of Phoenix, Ariz., Katie Breckenridge and husband Kurt of Las Vegas,Juanita's son, Greg Lashlee of Johnson City, Tenn., and by Bob's son, Neil Raines and wife Alison and daughter, Rachel of King George, Va., and Bob's son, Andy Raines, wife Amy and children, Olivia and Mark of Salem, Va. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, friends consider a contribution to the "Bob G. Raines Scholarship" and Emory & Henry College in Emory, Va.; or to Damascus United Methodist Church in Damascus, Va. Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009, at Emory & Henry United Methodist Church with Rev. David St.Clair and Rev. Christi Taylor officiating. Interment will follow in Holston Conference Cemetery at Emory. The family will be receiving friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21, 2009, at Farris Funeral Service in Abingdon. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so online by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guestbook. Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St. Abingdon, VA 24210 (276) 623-2700, is serving the family of Dr. Bob Raines.