Sylvia Raby

Mrs. Sylvia Elizabeth Crenshaw Raby was born on August 13, 1935 to her parents, Lena Johnson Crenshaw and James Paul (JP) Crenshaw of St. Pauls, NC.  She was the 7 ^th of 10 children and worked with her family on the Balance Farm.  She spoke both fondly and smartly of her time tending to tobacco, cotton and helping her older sisters in the kitchen.  She loved her siblings so much and was very proud of the fine men and women they all became as adults.  Even though they all went their separate ways they remained a very close knit family with many parties, celebrations and reunions over the years.  They all preceded her in passing but she never forgot any of them:  Max Crenshaw and wife Alice, Oleta Crenshaw Smith and husband Lawrence, Jean Crenshaw Smith and husband Ledford, Robert Crenshaw and wife Janie, Belton Crenshaw and wife Pearl, Lonnie Crenshaw and wife Joanne, Neil Crenshaw and wife Faye, Molly Crenshaw Prevatte and husband David.  The many nieces and nephews that arrived enjoyed the large family gatherings as well.  Mrs. Raby married Earl Lee Raby on December 7, 1952 who was an active duty Air Force airman and they began their married life in Cheyanne, Wyoming.  Over their long union they lived in many places including, France, Germany and Alaska.  Along the way they had three boys:  Earl Lee Raby Jr, Donald Eugene Raby and Roger Crenshaw Raby.  She always found her way back to her home town of St. Pauls where they built a home and decided to stay.  Her boys married and gave her five grandchildren:  Adam Lee Raby and wife Kristin, Afton Lee Raby Winn, James Earl Raby, Roslyn Jean Raby and Elizabeth Raby.  She has five Great-Grands! Mrs. Raby was a member of the St. Pauls Presbyterian Church but decided to return to her Baptist roots and became a member of the First Baptist Church of St. Pauls.  She was an active member of the congregation for many years, teaching Sunday school and being in the Choir.  She worked outside the home for a short time for Burlington Industries and for many years for the Fashion Shop of St. Pauls.  One of her favorite things to do was to write!  While living in Alaska she wrote many front page articles for the St. Pauls Review telling of her travels and experiences.  In her later years she wrote long letters to family and friends alike.  It would be surprising if you are reading this and did not receive a card or note from her over the years.  She would say that writing was her therapy and would take great aims at making sure her syntax, punctuation and spelling were accurate.  There are many politicians that were recipients of such letters as well, she did not hesitate to let elected officials know what she was thinking!  She was also the “Keeper of the Names” of both the Crenshaw and Raby families.  She kept a rolling list of family member names and babies being born.  She hand wrote many Family Lists for family members who requested a list.  As her boys grew and worked away from home she always had correspondence with them and them with her.  It was a great day when she received mail from someone, she believed in the art of hand writing.  I would be remiss  if time was not taken here to speak of her culinary skills.  She was the perfect Southern Cook, mastering the skill needed to fix a mess of greens, fried okra, peas and snaps, stewed beef, the best fried chicken, beef fillet and the best biscuits this side of the Mississippi!  Her famous pecan pie was something to savor and enjoy!  To know her was to know she only drank her own Sweet Tea!  She made it just so and no one else could do it better.  Of course a cold Coca-Cola was always a treat.  She was also a fine example of what it means to be a Mother-In-Law, always encouraging and supportive.  There is none better.   Mrs. Raby will be remembered as a wonderful person who was fiercely independent and lived her life the way she wanted.  She was loved very much and will be missed. Visitation will be Friday August 11, 2017 from 12:00 Noon until 1:00 PM at the First Baptist Church of St. Pauls, with a Celebration of Life memorial service following the visitation at 1:00 PM with the Reverend Pat Hash officiating. Arrangements by McNeill Mackie Funeral Home of St. Pauls.