Lenward Gene Raines, known as Buck to family and friends, left this earth for his heavenly home on Monday, June 12, 2023, at the age of 77 surrounded by family at Nacogdoches Medical Center.  Buck was born at home in the Sand Flats community outside of Garrison on July 28, 1945, to Dollie and John Henry Raines Sr. After graduating from Timpson High School in 1963 he did construction running heavy equipment constructing I20 between Marshall and Dallas. Buck served his country in the Army from 1965-1967 during the Vietnam War.  After his return from Vietnam, he worked as a mechanic for Harold Baker. He and Judy Belinda Rhodes were married September 20, 1969 at Timpson Missionary Baptist Church and had four sons together. Buck was a loving husband, father and grandfather, who worked hard to provide for his family. He enjoyed spending time visiting with people and could find someone to talk to wherever he went. He worked for a time as a tractor mechanic for Bo Scott and Roy Conway, 18 years with Automatic Gas and after 22 years, retired from the US Post Office in 2010. Buck kept busy tending cows, baling hay or working on his tractors. When grandkids started coming along, Grandad could be found with one of them on a tractor, usually with a soda slipped into a pocket until out of sight of Mom and Dad or riding around on the Ranger.

Buck was preceded in death by his parents, Dollie and John Henry Raines Sr., sisters, Lorene Chandler and Lerlene Raines, and brother, John Henry Raines, Jr. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Judy Raines, sons John Elvis and wife Angela, Andy Gene and wife Rachel McFadden, Marc Lynn, Michael Ben and wife Rachel Black; 9 grandchildren Sheldon Raines and wife Caylie, Ashton, Jesse, Sadie, Reagan, Luke, Sara Kate, Reese, and Addison Raines; and first great-grandchild to be born in August, John Carter Raines; and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are Andy Raines, Marc Raines, Sheldon Raines, Cecil Whitton, Josh Whitton and J.T. Rhodes. Honorary Pallbearers are Jesse Raines, Luke Raines and Mark White

Visitation will be Wednesday, June 14 from 5-7pm at Taylor Funeral Home in Timpson. Funeral services will be Thursday, June 15, 2pm at Timpson Missionary Baptist Church with interment to follow at Timpson MBC Cemetery. In lieu of live flowers, please consider silk flowers to be used later or a donation to the building fund at Timpson Missionary Baptist Church.