With her family at her side, Rose Mary Raney, 87, went home to be with her Lord on August 12, 2011 in Brownwood, Texas. Born the eldest of three daughters to Harold Paul and Rosa Stella Dresch, on April 8, 1924, in Houston, Texas. For most of her life she resided in Pearland, Texas where she met and married Hughie Raney just before he shipped out to Europe in WWII. She made her home and raised her family in Pearland. She lived there until moving to Brownwood, Texas in 2009 to be closer to family.
Rose Mary is preceded in death by her husband of more than fifty years, her son Hughie Raney, Jr., granddaughter Melissa “Missy” Raney, sisters Dorothy Hyde and Georgia Lee Hutchinson, and dear family members and friends. She is survived by daughter Delores Raney Guess and husband Sonny of Palestine, Texas; daughter-in-law Sandra Raney of Cranfills Gap, Texas; son Paul Raney of Signal Hill, California; and daughter Linda Raney Harriss and husband Earl of Brownwood, Texas. She was dearly loved by her eight beloved grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren, and a multitude of in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Rose Mary lived with an unwavering faith and love that touched the lives of all who ever met her. Back when Pearlanders really knew each other, she was Mam Maw to half the population. A true follower of Jesus, she was a member of the First Baptist Church of Pearland, then Shadycrest Baptist Church of Pearland, and finally Coggin Avenue Baptist Church in Brownwood.
Rose Mary’s final message to her family and friends was clear: I love you all so much. Thank you for taking such good care of me. All I want you to do is love Jesus. And to her grandchildren she added: Always teach your babies to love Jesus!
A celebration of Rose Mary’s life was held at Pearland First Baptist Church on Tuesday, August 16. Burial followed at South Park Cemetery in Pearland, Texas. A memorial service will be held at Oak Ridge Manor in Brownwood at a later date.
