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Travis Franklin Raney, 88, of Athens was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on a beautiful Sunday, September 8, 2024, at Hospice Family Care in Huntsville. He was born on Nov 23, 1935, in Athens, Alabama, to Fred and Margaret Raney. He worshiped at and was a member of First Baptist Church of Athens.
Travis Franklin Raney, 88, of Athens was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on a beautiful Sunday, September 8, 2024, at Hospice Family Care in Huntsville. He was born on Nov 23, 1935, in Athens, Alabama, to Fred and Margaret Raney. He worshiped at and was a member of First Baptist Church of Athens.Mr. Raney is survived by his loving and dedicated wife of 69 years, Pauline (Polly) McDonald Raney; daughter, Bethany Raney Garrett; grandchildren, Alana Brooke Garrett, Lauren Garrett Whitt (Stewart); great-grandchild, Garrett Rane Whitt; sister, Joanna Raney Davis; sisters-in-law, Nancy Coffman Raney, Doris McDonald Stewart, Jean Smith McDonald; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Travis is preceded in death by his parents, Margaret Parsons Raney and Fred Roscoe Raney; infant son, Travis Franklin Raney II; brother, Douglas Bennett Raney; and brothers-in-law, Joel Ray Davis, James L. Stewart, and Raymond Eugene McDonald.
Travis was a lifelong resident of Athens, Alabama, and attended Athens High School (Class of 1955). He started his working life at the family business, Hatfield Drive-In, running the projector. Hatfield Drive-In was one of the first drive-ins in North Alabama and sat adjacent to Hatfield Lake. Hatfield was known as a popular spot for family outings. Travis would call numbers at Wednesday’s Bingo night from his booth during intermission. Travis went on to work at Teledyne Brown Engineering then as an engineer at AVEX Electronics Inc. (formerly known as AVCO) where he worked for over 28 years before retiring in 1999. Throughout his life, Travis enjoyed various hobbies including flying airplanes, riding Tennessee Walking horses, camping, hunting, fly tying, and fishing. He was a man of God, loved his friends and family dearly, was a dedicated Alabama football and basketball fan, and spent his final months embracing his newborn great-grandson whom he affectionately called “little buddy.”
Visitation will be held at Spry Funeral Home on September 11, 2024, from 1:30-2:30 PM followed by graveside service at 3:00 PM at Roselawn Cemetery with Brother Joe Teal officiating. Pallbearers will be Shaw Gookin, Doug Raney, David Raney, Stewart Whitt, and Jeff Woods. Honorary pallbearers include Gerald Bates, James Bendall, Don Bowers, John Coan, Johnnie Orr, and Charles Smith.
A special thank you to the caregivers who helped the Raney family. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation in memory of Travis to Huntsville Hospital Hospice Family Care at 10000 Serenity Lane, Huntsville, AL, 35803. Mr. Raney will be truly missed by all those who knew and loved him.
