Harry Gene Rayburn served his God, family, and community as a pastor, educator, and civic-minded citizen, and realized the promises of his faith on Tue, May 14, 2024 when, face to face, he met his Creator. Harry died at the Reed Greenhouse at Traceway Manor after a 77-year earthly pilgrimage. Born in Como, MS on April 16, 1947 to the late J.P. Rayburn and Mable Britt Rayburn, Harry graduated from North Panola High School in Sardis and attended Delta State College (University) where he received his BS in Education. While at DSU, he was active in the Baptist Student Union and the prison ministries at nearby Miss. State Penitentiary at Parchman. It was there that his God-given gift of serving others was well honed. Shortly thereafter, he began a teaching career that spanned over 25 years serving as a special needs educator, a coach, and a beloved mentor to hundreds of young people. His example was a lighthouse of encouragement, strength, and solid values. He taught at South Pontotoc, South Panola and retired from Shannon High School. Harry chose Josefina De La Pena as his life partner in 1972 and, to this union was born a son, Harry Jake Rayburn, presently practicing dentistry in Water Valley. Harry felt the call to be a minister and began work on his Master’s Degree in Theology at New Orleans Baptist Seminary becoming a Southern Baptist Preacher. In 1977, he and his family moved to Tupelo where both he and Josefina served as educators. Bro. Rayburn preached at several small Baptist churches spending much of his ministry at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Marshall Co. eventually retiring from Lakeland Baptist Church in Mantachie. He was a member of West Jackson St. Baptist Church where he was faithful and active in the church’s ministries including teaching the Men of Faith Sunday School class, working with the Brotherhood, coaching Church League sporting events and serving as a compassionate minister nursing homes. He often visited and supported Broken Lives Ministry, a drug rehabilitation ministry in Nettleton. A man who was determined to work hard, provide and share his resources with others less fortunate, Harry worked over 20 years as a cashier for Lowe’s before fully retiring. His larger than life personality drew hundreds of customers to his line for laughter and conversation, of which he was an expert! A man with a big heart, a hearty laugh, and a sterling personality, Harry became a fixture at morning coffee klatches such as Hardee’s, Shockley’s and Hardin’s Country Store. He was an excellent husband, dad and granddad, always supporting his son in his athletic events and later, his grandchildren’s sporting and academic activities. Harry never spoke naught about anyone, walked by faith, took literally the Golden Rule, and made everyday of his purpose-filled life count for good. He will be missed.
A service celebrating his life will be held at 5 PM Tuesday, May 21, 2024 in the Sadie M. Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors in Tupelo with his longtime pastor and close friend, Bro. Bert Harper, officiating. Private interment will take place in Tupelo Memorial Park. Visitation will begin on Tuesday only at 3:30 PM and continue until service time. For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed at 5 PM Tue. at www.hollandfuneraldirectors.com/live-streaming and will be archived thereafter. Holland Funeral Directors is honored to serve the family.
Bro. Rayburn is survived by his wife, Josefina D. Rayburn of Tupelo; his only child, Dr. Harry J. Rayburn and wife, Christine Tosh Rayburn of Oxford; two beloved grandchildren, Celie Elizabeth Rayburn, a Junior at Ole Miss, and Thomas Harrison Rayburn, a Freshman at Ole Miss; his sisters in law, Mary Lois, Martha, Peggy, Diane and Dot; several nieces, nephews, cousins and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents and was the last of his 6 siblings; Johnny, Gerald, Franklin, Tommy, Otis and his twin brother, Larry.
Memorials may be made to Tree of Life Free Clinic, 541 West Main St., Tupelo, MS 38801, or to Sanctuary Hospice, P. O. Box 2177, Tupelo, MS 38803.
