Rakes, Beulah Dalton

Beulah Dalton Rakes, 89, formerly of Dublin, Va., passed away on Tuesday, April 13, 2010, in the Snyder Nursing Home, Salem, Va. Born on February 21, 1921, in Carroll County, she was the daughter of the John Barney Dalton and Sarah Cox Dalton. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by one sister, Thelma Burke Byrd; and five brothers, Troy Dalton, Austin Dalton, Garnett Dalton, Paul Dalton, and Edward Dalton. Mom was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She lived her life with such grace, love and dignity. Her life was a wonderful example of how you should live your life. She showed such love and respect for everyone. She always took care of everyone’s needs first, never thinking of herself. Mom’s greatest joy was taking care of her family. She adored her grandchildren. She was a long time member of the Dublin Baptist Church. Her beautiful smile will never be forgotten. We will cherish her memory always-what an honor it was to call her Mother. She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Joseph Madison Rakes; children, Bonnie Clark and husband, Fred, of Dublin, Linda Marshall and husband, Billy, of Salem; Larry Rakes and wife, Deborah, of Forest, and Beulah Jane Rakes, of Hillsville, Va.; grandchildren, Natalie Mawyer and husband, Michael, Todd Marshall and wife, Sharon, and Lori Rakes; great-grandchildren, Zachery Biggs, Bethany Biggs, and Tori Marshall; three great-great-grandchildren; devoted sister, Ruth Jean Shell and husband, WG, of Roanoke; sisters-in-law, Violet Rakes and Ethel Cox; and brother-in-law, Noah Rakes and wife, Barbara. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. on Friday, April 16, 2010, in the Bower Funeral Home Chapel, Pulaski with the Rev. Phil Taylor officiating. Interment will follow in Highland Memory Gardens, Dublin. The family will receive friends on Friday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the funeral home prior to service time. The family would like to thank Snyder Nursing Home for the wonderful care our Mother received. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in her memory be sent to the resident activity fund at Snyder Nursing Home, 11 North Board Street, Salem, Va. 24153. To send the family your online condolences, visit www.bowerfuneralhome.com. Bower Funeral Home, Pulaski, Va., is handling the arrangements for the family.