Bro. Ivan N Raley

     Ivan N. Raley heard the words “Well done, good & faithful servant!” on Monday July 20, 2020 and looked into the face of his Lord.

     Ivan, known as “Sonny” to his older sisters, was born November 11, 1937, growing up on Lindsey Street in Jackson, TN. Ivan & his family attended Calvary Baptist in Jackson; and it was at Calvary, from the 4^th pew in February 1946, that Ivan gave his hand to Dr. Walter Warmth and his heart to Jesus Christ.

     After graduation from high school, Ivan attended Union University in Jackson; then enlisted in the U.S. Navy and finished two degrees while serving in the U.S. Navy. After the Navy, Ivan earned his Ph.D. from the University of Florida. Since then, Ivan has spent the last 65 years preaching all across the states of Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina, California; and to the ends of the earth in Central America, South America, Amsterdam, Mexico and Africa.

     In 1994, God called Ivan & Carole Raley to the Tennessee Baptists Childrens’ Home (TBCH) in Brentwood, Tn to serve as Vice President of the Middle Tennessee Region. For the next 12 years, Ivan lovingly served the abused and abandoned children of Tennessee that came through those gates.

     Ivan was honored to serve as Chaplain of the Day for the General Assembly of Tennessee; to open the US House of Representatives on two occasions and was invited to share in the National Day of Prayer held by the US Congress.

     After retirement from the TBCH, Ivan felt the call to serve as pastor of First Baptist Church, Byrdstown, TN; and has served the last 18 years of his life loving the people and the fellowship in Pickett County.

     Ivan was preceded in death by his parents, Ivan Raley & Johnnie Hobson Raley; his sisters, Alice Raley Griffis; Peggy Raley Chandler; Launa Raley Fleming; and two nephews, Danny Ayers and Jimmy Ayers.

     In addition to his wife, Carole, Ivan is survived by his children, Vann Raley (Terri) of Memphis; Sandra Vaught (Bill) of Lebanon; Mary Hinson (Rick) of Byhalia, MS; Jennifer Osborn VanOrman of Nashville; John Reed (Hope) of Nashville; and James Reed of Frankfort, Germany. Ivan & Carole also shared a wonderful life with eleven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

     Funeral Services will be held Saturday, July 25, 2020 at 1:00 P.M. from the Byrdstown First Baptist Church with Bro. Chris Ward officiating and burial in the Ridgecrest Cemetery in Jackson , TN on Sunday July 26, 2020 at 3:00 P.M.

     In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 189, Byrdstown, TN, in memory of Ivan N. Raley. All monies received at FBC will go into a fund to build a youth center for Pickett County. Or donations may be mailed to: Tennessee Baptist Mission Board-General Disaster Relief, P.O. Box 682789, Franklin, TN 37068, & note “In memory of Ivan N. Raley.” 

      The family will receive friends on Friday July 24, 2020 from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the Brown Funeral Chapel

      *A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday August 1, 2020 at 1:00 P.M. from the Grassland Heights Baptist Church in Franklin, TN

Funeral service will be livestreamed on the Byrdstown First Baptist Church Facebook Page.