Photo courtesy of R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home - Hampton
Nov 4, 1967 - Sep 15, 2025
Chris I always loved you I will always remember you.
Connie Carver
September 28, 2025 | Hampton, VA | Friend
Chris always had a ready smile - a dear man.
Kathy Quinley
September 24, 2025 | Hampton VA, VA | Friend
My condolences...nothing but love for this man.
Karter
September 20, 2025 | Friend
Chris 's picture says it all what we use to call "a wizenhymmer," he could keep you laughing, I will miss him a lot he and I would always say our smartphones were not that smart and go and get one of his or my grands to get us back on track
Chris I WILL MISS YOU GREATLY. True friend till his end !
shirley perry-Wolterding
September 19, 2025 | Newport News, VA | Friend
Taralyn. So sorry for your lost. We are all blessed and better people to have known such a awesome wonderful man. I met your father when he lived in Maryland. Arden on the Severn And have stayed at your grandparents home when visiting and going to the mothership. Chris and your grandparents were the most hospitable whenever I visited. I have pictures of some road trips with your father and we had just spoken while he was on his way back from cali and he told me the terrible news and I was...
Tony Zerhusen
September 18, 2025 | Annapolis, MD | Friend
Always loved you like a brother my dear friend. Played little league baseball , sandlot ball and went to school with you. Saw you at THE MOTHERSHIP IN 1989 buying tickets for the Warlock shows and sitting at the fountain and talked a good long time.At that time I had not seen you for a long time, I will never forget that moment , it met a lot to me.Recently loved talking to you at Andrea's.I will miss you dearly for the rest of my life! See you in heaven one day.
Kevin Grzy
September 17, 2025 | Hampton, VA | Friend
My deepest condolences to you Tara Lynn and the family. Chris is sweet affectionate and funny man always brought a smile and a chuckle to me. Chris you will be greatly missed.
Maria Rew
September 17, 2025 | Hampton, VA | Friend
So very sorry for your family's loss
Thornton Betty
September 17, 2025 | Norfolk, VA | Friend
Christopher Marshall Rakes, 57, passed away on Monday, September 15, 2025, after a tough battle with pancreatic cancer. Born to Curtis E. and Anne Routten Rakes, Chris was a lifelong resident of Hampton. He worked for many years at Andrea’s and Ricco’s Pizza in Hampton making the best pizza in Hampton Roads. Chris enjoyed spending his days with his three granddaughters and was affectionately known and loved as Poopaw. He was an avid follower of the Grateful Dead and a wealth of musical knowledge. He also loved watching the Washington Commanders on football Sunday.
Chris is preceded in death by his parents, Anne and Curtis Rakes. Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Taralyn Warren Rowe and her husband, Eric; grandchildren, Madilyn, Emily, and Katherine Rowe; brothers, Curtis E. Rakes, Jr. and wife, Susanne and Michael S. Rakes and wife, Valerie; aunt, Sandra Midkiff; uncle, Liv Whiting; nephews, Shawn Rakes and Steven Rakes; as well as many cousins.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home, downtown Hampton. Please wear your favorite tie dye t-shirt to honor Chris’ love for the Grateful Dead.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society click here to donate.
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