Joe M. Rayburn

Joe M. Rayburn, 72, of Charleston, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, April 8, 2015. He retired from Bowater after 39 years of service. He was a lifetime member of Lower Spring Creek United Methodist Church. Joe was a member of the Hiwassee Valley Antique Tractor Club. He was an avid fisherman and loved to camp. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dent and Ada Rose Rayburn; brother, Taylor Rayburn; paternal grandparents, Joseph and Mary Jane Rayburn; maternal grandparents, Gideon and Eva Rose; and father and mother-in-law, Willard and Allie Parks. Survivors include his wife, of 52 years, Mildred Rayburn of Charleston; children, Floyd Rayburn of Riceville, Teresa Robinson and husband, Eddie of Charleston, Gary Rayburn and wife, Lori of Belmont, NC and Lisa Cranfield and husband, Michael of Cleveland; grandchildren, Ashley Slagle, Zac Robinson, Tyler Rayburn, Austin Rayburn, Brook Kimsey and Canaan Cranfield; great grandson, Salem Slagle; and dear friends, Gene and Sandy Bishop. The funeral will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 12, 2015 in the chapel of Fike Funeral Home with Pastor Mary Parson, Pastor Johnny Hood and the Reverend Dusty Caldwell officiating. Interment will follow in Lower Spring Creek United Methodist Church Matt Dillard, Cliffie Dillard, Eddie Joe Lyle, Rick Barham, David Wright and Terry Cranfield serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be John Parks, James Parks, Jimmy Wright and Gene Bishop. A white dove release ceremony will conclude the service. His family will receive friends from 3:00-7:00 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. The family requests that memorials be made to the Lower Spring Creek Cemetery Fund, 431 Maple Crest Circle, Charleston TN, 37310. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Rayburn family guestbook at www.fikefh.com.