Donald Ervin Rakes

Donald Ervin Rakes, age 62, of Martinsville, died Sunday, September 19, 2010, in Dobson, NC.

He was born in Patrick County, February 16, 1948, the son of Chester Rakes of Fieldale and Joy Via Rakes of Hampton. He was reared from an early age by his aunt and uncle, the late Ethel Via and Neal Via of Fieldale, who survives.

He was also preceded in death by his step-mother Anne Rakes.

Don was an active member of First Baptist Church of Collinsville, serving as a Deacon and Sunday school teacher, and formerly was the youth minister at McCabe Memorial Baptist Church. He was a graduate of the University of Virginia and Liberty University, and was a veteran of the US Air Force, serving during the Viet Nam War. He was a respiratory therapist for the past 35 years and worked at Morehead Hospital in Eden, NC.

Surviving is his wife Beverly J. Rakes of the home; son, Justin Rakes of Durham, NC; step-daughter, Erin Marshall of Scranton, PA, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, September 22, 2010, at First Baptist Church of Collinsville with the Rev. Rob Edwards, the Rev. Lewis Harris, and the Rev. Larry Cheek officiating. Interment will follow in Union Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Patrick County.

The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M. Tuesday, at Collins-McKee-Stone Funeral Home, Bassett.

Memorial contributions may be made to the WMU of First Baptist Church Collinsville, P.O. Box 36, Collinsville, VA 24078.

To express condolences on line, please visit www.collinsmckeestonebassett.com

Arrangements under the direction of Collins-McKee-Stone Funeral Services, Bassett, VA.