Jerry Jennings Railey

The second of five boys, Jerry was born in Chester, SC to Letha Hammonds Railey and Otis Butler Railey. His family moved to Gastonia, NC when he was a toddler and he remained a resident of Gaston County until one year ago when he moved to Roanoke, VA to be near his daughter. He finished his high school diploma at the Burton Institute in Charlotte, NC after serving and being Honorably Discharged from the US Army in the mid-1950s. For almost all of his career, he was a long-distance truck driver, which allowed him to travel all over the United States. During his driving career, he worked for Burlington, Akers, Bowman, and Old Dominion from which he retired. Jerry was a long-time member of Ranlo Baptist Church.

Jerry was rendered legally blind by Macular Degeneration, but that did not stop him from doing the things he loved. He continued to socialize through the Low Vision Club and with his group of friends who called themselves “The Romeos.” He swam and rode his bicycle well into his eighties. He listened to or “read” more audio books than one could imagine. He loved all genres of music and was a regular at the Gaston County Senior Dances. He was a sought-after partner due to his skill on the dance floor. Jerry was an avid outdoorsman. He loved hiking and could often be found on Crowder’s Mountain. He enjoyed duck hunting, woodworking, carving, and canoeing. Jerry never met a stranger, due to his charming nature, and had a large circle of friends.

Jerry was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Shirley Hicks Railey; infant son, Michael Jennings Railey; his mother, Letha Hammonds; and his four brothers, Howard Railey, Marion Railey, Will Railey, and Bob Railey.

He is survived by his son, Kenneth (Ken) David Railey and wife Sandra (Sandy) Hiatt Railey, and by daughter, Rev. Cynthia (Cindy) Railey Meadows and husband Rev. Dr. Kevin Blane Meadows. His legacy will live on through grandchildren Kendall Blake “Rudy” Meadows, Charlotte Katherine “Lottie” (Meadows) Williams and husband Landon Williams, Kenneth “Cameron” Hiatt Railey, “Natalie” Nicole Railey, and great-grandsons Layton Kade Willams and Kannon Beckett Williams.

We wish to acknowledge and thank his special friends, Al and Marsha Lineburger, who aided in his care prior to his move to Roanoke, VA. Deep gratitude goes to Morningside of Gastonia and The Park Oak Grove (Roanoke) Assisted Living Facilities who gave Jerry the independence he craved alongside the assistance he needed in his final years. His final days were made comfortable by the loving care provided by Good Samaritan Hospice of Roanoke, VA.

A visitation will be held Wednesday, December 3, 2025 from 10:00 am to 10:45 am at Ranlo Baptist Church, located at 1517 Spencer Mountain Road, Gastonia, NC 24054 to be followed by a Celebration of Life at 11:00 am at the same location. The committal will take place following at Gaston Memorial Park, located at 1200 S. New Hope Road, Gastonia, NC, 28054.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ranlo Baptist Church, The Michael J. Fox Foundation (www.michaeljfox.org), or Good Samaritan Hospice (www.goodsam.care).