Dolores Joyce Raker

Dolores (Dolly) Joyce Raker was born on April 28, 1937, and passed on Nov 24, 2025. She is now with our heavenly father, Jesus Christ, and her beloved husband of 64 years, William Raker. Dolly was the middle child of three born to William Henry Martins and Ruth Lydia Reynolds in Allentown, PA.

Dolly and Bill have four children: William B. Raker, Jr. (Danae), Bruce A. Raker (Lisa Marie), Bonnie J. Jeffrey (Peter), and Kimberly A Raker. Grandchildren: Kaitlyn Elizabeth Raker, Sarah Anne Soto (Shelby), Thomas Paul Carpenter, Jr. (Kelsey), Christopher Andrew Ward Raker, Matthew Ward Carpenter, Robert Simeon Carpenter (Victoria), Kenneth William Carpenter, and Jose Esteban Chacon, Jr. Great-grandchildren: Willow Rose Carpenter and Union William Davis Carpenter. Sister: Shirley Devaris, Brother: William H. Martens, Jr. (Linda), Sister-in-law: Virginia Wingate and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Dolly enjoyed sewing and later quilting, baking, gardening, crafts, traveling, and reading. She was a member of USCG Auxiliary for 10 years with Flotilla 14 in Newark, DE. She enjoyed collecting seashells and had accumulated quite a large collection. She learned to play the harp and even had one of her craft items showcased on QVC.

Dolly started her career as a bank teller at Delaware Trust then moved to the University of Delaware as a conference developer. She retired from the U of D and then worked for Engineered Systems & Designs in Newark, DE which manufactured scientific equipment sold both in the US and internationally. She moved onto an administrative assistant job for Temple Beth Shalom Synagogue.

In 2009, Dolly and Bill permanently retired to FL to Rotonda West where she immediately started the modifications to the house. She was a member of Englewood United Methodist Church and enjoyed covenant groups in both Delaware and Florida.

Funeral services for Dolly will be held Thursday, Dec 11, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Englewood United Methodist Church, 700 E Dearborn St, Englewood, FL 34223.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/ for the Raker family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice at https://tidewellhospice.org/