I just found out that Gwen passed. She was married to my cousin (actually my 1st cousin once removed) and we would visit them in AR whenever we came back there to visit the Rakes clan.
She and I talked a great deal about genealogy and our interest in family history. 
The last time was a few years ago, probably pre- covid, and she was still playing  pickle ball when we were there. 
She was always so full of life and so gracious too. I will miss not being able to visit with her the next time we come out.
It was great getting to know her and she will be missed.
Terry Rakes Custis

My gammy. My gammy taught me many things. And tried to teach me even more. Like many others, she taught me to knit, I was never great but she always encouraged me. She taught me about gardening, but mostly about not eating all the peas. I learned how potatoes, carrots, cucumbers, green beans, okra, raspberries, corn, tomatoes, many others, but most importantly peas, are grown and collected. She taught me how to brew a proper pot of English tea, and how I shouldn't bury its flavor under milk and sugar. She taught me how to make tea sandwiches and host a tea party. She taught me how to play tennis and appreciate Wimbledon. Which I still do. She taught me to appreciate and feel cool riding on the back of her motorcycle as a kid. "My British gammy rides a motorcycle!" Always a point of pride for a third grader when her grandmother rolls in on a candy apple red beemer to pick her up from school. Possibly my favorite thing she taught me though, was about flowers. I can still wander through her garden at home and name them all. Nasturiums, spiderwort, hellaborus, clematis, hyacinth, tradescantia, tulips, so many daffodils, echinacea, aqualegia, snowdrop, lily of the valley, Virginia bluebell, cleome, peonies, and others that aren't in bloom for me to see. I never thought I'd look back on her pointing out all those flowers with such fondness, and yet those are now some of my favorite memories. That and watching her knit as she watched Wimbledon. She never even had to look at the needles. And I have discovered over the years that she has passed even more gifts onto me. She was a dab hand at cross stitch, sewing, embroidery, and painting. Now I know from where those talents originate. The reddish tint to my hair, from her as well. The British accent I can pull off well enough to have people ask where I come from, and more recently a Scottish one she would have been highly amused by. I will be happy for the time, effort, and love she gave me and thank her for...everything.

One of the most solid vivacious people I have ever met. She had a stalwart presence and didn't hesitate to tell you how she felt; but it never felt like it was done with malice. I only knew her these past dozen years and could only imagine how she could conceivably be more of a positive force of nature in her earlier years . That said in my experience with her she always had a " youthful spirit" ::: she had to have in order to ride a motorcycle into her early '80s :  )
++++ Love you & going to miss you friend ++++

Many years ago, over 60, when I was a Rakes family member, she taught me how to knit. I often wanted to tell her that I am still knitting, thinking of how often she helped me improve the craft. Anyone who knew Gwen loved her and enjoyed just hearing her accent in conversation.
Kathleen Webb Wallace

She was our fearless leader, fly high my friend❤️

So sorry to hear of Gwen's passing. Always remember her knocking on the door to welcome us to Rogers in 1974.  Rode up on her motorbike sporting a red leather jacket, happy to connect with another Brit.  A bundle of energy and enthusiasm.   An Avon lady at that time and lots of other projects in the works, including photography. We'll miss her. Barb and Graham Baker, & family.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Gwendolen Ann Rakes

7 janvier 1938 – 9 juin 2024

Rollins Funeral Home

Montrez votre soutien

Envoyez Vos
Condoléances

Partager
L'avis De Décès

Obtenir les mises à jour

Prestations de Service