As the holiday season approaches I'm sure your loss will be felt more acutely. Rejoice in her memory and the knowledge that she was loved by so many and impacted so many lives.  I was a student at Cohn High School in the 1960's and 1970's and can honestly say that she is the most memorable teacher I ever had.  Years after graduating I saw her at Green Hills Mall and had the chance to thank her and to tell her that I learned more from her than any other teacher. She seemed pleased and smiled that sweet sweet smile.

Mrs Rang was my inspiration for becoming a teacher and my love for English.  As a senior I took grammar for a semester, out class was small 10 or so and we would daily prepare hot mugs of tea or hot chocolate and then informally discuss tgd intricacies of the grammatical structure of English.... oh what sweet memories.

I knew Ms. Raby most of my life and taught with her at Hillsboro High.  She has been one of my favorite friends, always vey helpful.

Mrs Raby was a very special teacher as you always wanted to do your best and never disappoint her. She was loved by many students at HHS! RIP Mrs.Raby.

Mrs. Raby was my favorite teacher at Hillsboro. She was tough but you knew she really cared about your success. You always wanted to do well to please her. May God grant the family peace during this time of their loss.  Tracey Cook

I transferred to Hillsboro in 1980 as a Junior and was sad that I didn't get Mrs. Raby for English as my brother and sister had her for English!  I was in her homeroom for the 1 1/2 yrs I was at Hillsboro and loved Mrs. Raby!  Condolences from all of the Shermans whose lives she touched!  Donny '75 and Debbie '78!

Mrs. Raby was my Sophmore Englisgh teacher.  She had high expectations of all of her students. She will truly be missed. R.I.P. Mrs. Raby.

LMary was very fair and would help and advise when asked. She was kind and very caring. I was grateful to have known her while teaching at Hillsboro High School. With much love,                   Peter J. Meadows

Much love to all of you. Mrs. Raby left quite an impact on everyone at Hillsboro and Immanuel.

Mrs. Raby was that amazing teacher that made you want to do your best. There was always a special sense of pride you felt when you did well in her class. She was one of a kind. Thank you for your dedication and caring.

She was one of my mother's very favorites! Mary Raby was a sweet, kind soul!

I was one of her students, and I will never forget her. She was a wonderful lady and a fantastic teacher.

Mary and I taught at Hillsboro together for many years.  She was one of the best teachers that ever taught at Hillsboro High School.  Mary, I will see you in Heaven one day.  You were the finest!!

she was the best english teacher Hillsboro ever had. She was a lovely lady, great mentor and will truly be missed. I loved you Mrs Raby, thank you for everything! Tootie Johnson (adkisson)

Mrs. Raby had high expectations for all kiddos and wanted the best from each of her students.  She took a personal interest in each students' success.  I appreciated the background she shared on grammar and still do today.  An amazing teacher!

What a world she opened up to so many children - - she taught us to read!  It was the basic building block for everything else we learned thereafter.  Thank you, Mrs. Raby.
Robert Horner 
Sylvan Park - 1st Grade

Mrs. Raby was one of the best and most influential teachers I ever had.  Whenever my HHS friends recalled her, it was with respect and appreciation if not downright love.  I send prayers of comfort to her family and friends am so sorry for your and our loss.

Mrs. Raby was my 1st grade teacher at Sylvan Park Elementary School.  She was my favorite teacher in all my 12 years of school.  Such a sweet lady.

Mrs Raby was my favorite teacher at Hillsboro High.  I always looked forward to her class.  Condolences to the family.  She was something special,  but you know that.

Oh what a sweet lady.  I had her for English at Hillsboro.  So sorry for your loss.

Mrs. Raby was my English teacher at Hillsboro High School. She was an excellent teacher, and I retained more information from her class than any other English class I have taken. I am very sorry for her family's loss. May she rest in peace.

A wonderful, wonderful teacher with a warm, caring heart.  She put our interests as students at the forefront of her mission.  We didn't know it then, but her positive impact lasts to this day.  She came to mind yesterday before I learned of her passing. I was just telling my wife how well she balanced the need for rigidity in the 10th Grade English classroom with the need for empathy and humanity.  She did it in such a way that taught us to take life seriously, but not too seriously.  She'll always be remembered.

Mrs. Raby was my English teacher at Hillsboro when I first came there as a sophomore.  She was tough but fair, and I truly loved her class. It is one of my fondest memories from high school! I know that she will be missed by family and the many people she influenced over the years.

Thank you, Mrs. Raby.  You were an important influence on the literary lives of thousands of young persons, myself included.

Mrs. Raby was always a very positive influence in the lives of Sheri and Shannon….She will always be remembered.

Dear Family, I am so sorry I cannot be with you at this time of sorrow but just found out of Marys passing and not time enough to drive down to Nashville. You know how much I loved your Mother and Father. I will keep you in my prayers. God Bless and I love you all.
Stephanie Yochum

Just this week, I was telling my teenage daughter about Mrs. Raby and the mountain of work she did to prepare us as much as possible for college testing and beyond. As a senior, I had the privilege of staying after school each week to help her grade hundreds of 10th grade spelling, grammar and vocabulary papers - and found that beneath the demanding, no-nonsense classroom persona was one of the most delightful, caring people I've ever known. Her lessons have served me well throughout my life and I feel so fortunate to have known her.

Such a loving heart, such a firm hand, always sunshine and unshakable faith. I'm grateful Mrs. Raby was my teacher and my friend through the years. Condolences to her daughters and grandchildren - she spoke of you all so often with such deep love and dedication.  She is gone but her light still shines.

Mrs. Raby was one of the finest teachers I ever had, and one of the most memorable. The 10th Grade English class I took with her was both a challenge and a pleasure.

I had Mrs. Raby for several classes. I was hit by a car my first year in her class and she was the only teacher that came to see me in the hospital. She truly cared about all of her students. Prayers for you all!

Mrs. Raby was very strict and but also extremely funny when she taught English at Hillsboro High School. I don't remember what triggered it but  if she didn't like something that happened in class or something someone said, she would say either: "Gross, gross, gross!" or "Out the window with you!" 
She made quite an impression upon her students because she expected a lot from us. 
I'm sorry to hear that she has passed away but glad to see she lived a good, long life. 
I hope your find comfort in your memories.

Ms. Raby was my English teacher at Hillsboro High School, and provided much needed structure both grammatically and behaviorally!  She had a great sense of humor and was incredibly kind, while having the hard edge, when needed, that's essential for an orderly classroom.  I am confident that she enhanced innumerable lives, including my own.

She lived thoroughly, and I wish her and her loved ones peace.

Stuart Ray, M.D. (HHS '82)
Professor of Medicine and Oncology
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Mrs. Raby was my English teacher at Hillsboro High School in the late 1970's.  I loved her!  She taught me so much!  She is a teacher I will never forget.  RIP, Mrs. Raby and thanks for touching so many lives.  Thanks for touching mine.

I enjoyed teaching with Mary at Immanuel Baptist. Rest in Peace. She was a true servant of the lord. Heaven has added another Angel. Richie Purky Williams

Thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time. May God comfort you and keep you.

Helen(Wilson)Dorsey
Hillsboro High-Class of 1975

Mrs. Raby was my first grade teacher at Sylvan Park school in 1951. I was very fond of her and have often thought of her over the years. She is one of my favorite memories.

She will be missed at Emeritus. She was always my favorite lady. Prayers are with you all.

Dear Allie,
Please accept our sincere condolences for the loss of your mother. May her soul rest in eternal peace. Our prayers are with you and your family. Miss you.
Irene and husband Will Cepnio

With deepest sympathy and prayer, I send my condolences to Mary's family. She will be remembered as my "dear" cohort at HHS since we both taught English II. She was smart, humorous and dedicated. when I last checked on her, she told me that she loved me.

I thank the Lord that we met one another!

Fondly,
Barbara F. Gray & Daughters

Allison,Mary Ann, And family...I know she was a blessing to all of you as well as all of us at "Emeritus"it was a pleasure to have known  your Momma as well as taking care of her...Mary made our day ......she was our " baby" she knew  she was well loved by all. I use to tell her she was "rotten" and she would shake her head as if she agreed... I will miss taking care of her and getting my " kisses. " she is where she belongs In heaven ...she was our angel... I love you Mary Raby...

Allison, Mary Ann, Elizabeth, and Sam:
Although I am not there physically, my thoughts are with all of you during this time of grief and sadness. I pray that God's amazing peace will be with you. Love to all.

OBITUARY

Mary Pate Raby

August 28, 1927 – October 20, 2014

Marshall-Donnelly-Combs Funeral Home

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