James Kenneth Jim Raley

Services: A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, July 1, 2005 at 10:00 AM in Holy Angels Catholic Church in Avenue, MD with Msgr. John Brady officiating. Interment will be private. Visitation: Public visitation will be held in the funeral home on Thursday, June 30, 2005 from 5 - 8 PM with prayers being said at 7:00 PM. James Kenneth "Jim" Raley, Sr., 77 of Avenue, MD died June 26, 2005 in Avenue, MD. Born June 3, 1928 in Avenue, MD he was the son of the late John Dennis and Mary Evelyn Bailey Raley, Sr. He was the loving husband of Claire Lavin Raley whom he married in St. Thomas Church, Washington, DC on December 27, 1952. He is survived by his son: James Kenneth Raley, Jr. and his wife Marbeth of Hollywood, MD; brothers and sisters: John D. Raley, Jr. and Aloysius F. Raley, Sr. both of Avenue, MD, Julia "Sitty" Jones of Napa, CA and Joseph F. Raley of Lake Charles, LA; grandchildren: Adam C. Raley of Avenue, MD, J. Castle Raley of Rockville, MD, Jamie Lynn Raley and Amanda C. Raley both of Hollywood, MD; and one great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his brother and sisters: Walter "Benna" Raley, Barbara C. "Reds" Gasiewicz and Shirley "Peggy" Norris. Mr. Raley attended St. Mary's Academy and was a life long St. Mary's County resident. He worked as a farmer until his death. Mr. Raley was a charter member and past chief of the 7th District Volunteer Fire Department, charter member and past president of the 7th District Volunteer Rescue Squad and the 7th District Optimist Club. He was inducted into the Southern Maryland Volunteer Fire Fighters Association in 1993. His great joys in life were his beloved wife, his family, friends, his farm and his community. The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 30, 2005 from 5:00 â?? 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, where Prayers will be said at 7:00 PM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, July 1, 2005 at 10:00 AM in Holy Angels Catholic Church with Msgr. John Brady officiating. Interment will be Private. Pallbearers will be Dr. William D. Boyd, II, Samuel M. "Bo" Bailey, Adam C. Raley, Mr. Michael Boyd, Michael M. Merican and J. Castle Raley. Honorary Pallbearers will be Johnny Cheseldine and Pete Griffin. Contributions may be made to 7th District Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 7, Avenue, MD 20609 and/or 7th District Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 206, Avenue, MD 20609.