Obituary: C. GARLAND RAKESTRAW

C. Garland Rakestraw, 94, of Stoneville, passed away at home on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 after a brief illness.

A lifelong resident of Rockingham County, he was born to the late Dallas and Lucy Purgason Rakestraw of Bethany who later moved the family to Stoneville. Graduating valedictorian from Stoneville High School, he continued his education earning a business administration and economics degree in 1950 from Guilford College where he was a member of the basketball team. In 1952 Garland married Ann Fuller Thrasher and made their home in Stoneville. Ann and Garland were blessed with a loving marriage of 66 years until her death in 2018. Garland and Ann loved traveling around the world, including a memorable trip to the Soviet Union before the iron curtain fell, but always happily returned to their home in Stoneville. They enjoyed meeting and developing lifelong friendships on their trips abroad which resulted in multiple visits to England and Germany. Garland in turn hosted these friends as they traveled many times to the U.S. and Stoneville. Garland especially loved Stoneville and his connection to all of his family and friends. He greatly enjoyed many decades of golfing with friends. In 2020 Garland was recognized by Rotary International and Congressman Mark Walker for his continued membership in the Stoneville Rotary Club for 73 years. He was also recognized for his 71 years of membership in the Dan River Masonic Lodge.

Garland demonstrated his faith to all who had the chance to know him. He was a constant witness to Christ and the church his whole life. As a devoted member of the Stoneville Christian Church, he served as a deacon, elder and was honored as an elder emeritus. He was the oldest member of his church family.

In the late 1950’s Garland founded Rakestraw Farm Equipment Company in Stoneville which continued to serve and support area farmers for over 42 years until his retirement. He was always willing to work with his farming customers during both good as well as difficult growing years having grown up the son of a farmer. While operating the tractor company he co-invented, patented, and sold a unique tobacco stringer. He also co-founded and was co-owner and operator of Piedmont Tobacco Warehouse.

Committed to a lifelong principle of civic and community service, Garland was a member on the Stoneville Town Board in the late fifties. Garland’s love for his community prompted him, along with friend and business associate Steve Smith, to donate 16 acres of land to the town to establish Stoneville Memorial Park. Sometime after the park was built and after Mr. Smith died, a permanent plaque was erected “In memory of Steve Smith and Garland Rakestraw”. Garland liked to jokingly paraphrase Mark Twain that “reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.”

Being an ardent supporter of Rockingham Community College from its conception, Garland served over 20 years on the Foundation Board and the Board of Trustees, serving each as president and chairman respectively, and established two scholarships to the college. The college honored him for his services by naming a room in the Whitcomb Student Center, “C. Garland Rakestraw College Transfer and Career Development Center”. Garland served three terms on the Board of Morehead Memorial Hospital and 10 years on the Rockingham County Economic Development Commission, serving one term as its chairman. Recognizing the potential impact and benefit of having an interstate highway in western Rockingham County, he worked for years with county, state, and federal authorities to lobby and insure I-73 would pass thru Rockingham County. He additionally served on the county boards of Bank of America, First Citizens Bank and the Western Rockingham Chamber of Commerce. Garland’s firm belief in the great potential of Rockingham County led him to be an original contributing member of the “Committee of 100” which was established to promote and recruit economic development and growth by county business leaders.

Garland is survived by his children, Brenda Hair and husband, Roger of Stoneville, Charles and wife, Susan, of Stokesdale and Richard Rakestraw of Burlington; grandsons, Peyton Rakestraw and Thomas Hair; granddaughter Anna Hair and fiancé, Matt Michael; many cousins, nephews and nieces. In addition to his parents and wife, Ann, Garland was predeceased by his sister-in-law, Nancy Thrasher Joyce; sisters, Shirley Rakestraw Joyce, Frances Rakestraw Irving and Annie Rakestraw Faggart; brothers, Percy, James, Raymond and Robert Rakestraw.

A Service of Celebration will be held at 4:30 pm on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at Colonial Funeral Home, 127 Ellisboro Road, Madison, with the Rev. Buddy Self officiating. Garland’s children would like to honor family and friends with a catered fellowship/family visitation immediately following the service at the funeral home. Masonic Rites will be given at a private graveside service.

Memorials may be made to the Stoneville Christian Church, 209 South Glenn Street, Stoneville, NC 27048 or to the Garland and Ann Rakestraw Scholarship Fund at Rockingham Community College, PO Box 38, Wentworth, NC 27375.

Colonial Funeral Home in Madison is serving the family.

Condolences may be offered to the Rakestraw family at www.colonialfh.net.

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