J.W. Raybon, age 94, passed away on August 27, 2021. He was born on February 25, 1927, in Owassa, Alabama, to George W. and Annie Dorcas McGraw Raybon. He lived most of his life in Mobile, Alabama. J.W. is survived by his wife of 70 years, Stella Watson Raybon, his daughter, Debbie Raybon Andress, and his son, Jeff (Kelly) Raybon. His legacy will also live on in his seven grandchildren, Nicole (Stephen) Landry, Shelley (George) Naman, Ashley Andress, Kati (Evan) Lancaster, Keegan (Robby) McWhorter, Kandace Raybon, and Jeffrey Raybon, along with thirteen great-grandchildren, Joshua (Katherine), Matthew, and Noah Landry; Trace, Caroline, and Riley Kate Naman; Ethan and Reagan Andress; Raybon and Mara Lancaster; and Stella, Pemberley, and August McWhorter. He is also survived by two special sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Ricky Michael Raybon, four brothers, and four sisters.
J.W. was actively involved in church throughout his life. He was a member of Forest Hill Church of God and previously attended Crafton Church of God, Prichard/Lakeview Assembly of God, where he taught Sunday School and served on the Church Board, and Knollwood Assembly of God, with which he frequently traveled on mission trips to build churches in Central America. He spent his career as a general contractor, and at the time of his retirement, was a primary builder for Stein Mart. J.W. was a veteran of the Army and the Air Force. He will best be remembered as a Godly and loving husband, father, and Popa.
Pallbearers include Joshua Landry, Matthew Landry, Jeffrey Raybon, Trace Naman, Noah Landry, Ethan Andress, Evan Lancaster, and Robby McWhorter. Honorary pallbearers are Ashley Andress, Stephen Landry, and George Naman.
February 25, 1927 ~ August 27, 2021 (age 94)
Services will be held Wednesday, September 1, at 12:00 p.m. at Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the beginning of the funeral service with family visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow in Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery. The family respectfully asks that masks be worn during the visitation hours.
