Margaret Lavona Newby Raney

Margaret LaVona Newby Raney, 98, of Macon, died Monday, April 29, 2013. The Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, May 2, 2013 at 3:00PM at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Allan McDonald officiating. Burial will be in Macon Memorial Park. A Vigil for the Deceased will be said on Wednesday at 6:00pm at Hart's Mortuary, Cherry Street with visitation following. Mrs. Raney was born in Macon, Georgia, on August 3, 1914, the daughter of the late Howard Jackson and Varrie Chapman Newby. She attended Howard School in Macon and schools in Gaugh and Greensboro, Georgia, where her father worked for the railroad. After her father's death, her family returned to Macon where she graduated from A. L. Miller High School in 1932. After graduation Mrs. Raney moved to Atlanta where she worked as a telegraph operator. In Atlanta she met her future husband, Thomas John Raney. On October 11, 1943, she and TJ were married in Wilmington, South Carolina. In the early years of their marriage the couple lived in Wilmington, where they were in the furniture business, and in Montgomery, where they owned a supper club. In 1951 the couple returned to Macon where Mr. Raney sold real estate and Mrs. Raney worked at Warner Robins ALC from 1953 until her retirement in 1979. She was a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees and the Martha McLeod Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. She was also a faithful member of St. Joseph Catholic Church were she was a member of the St. Monica's Guild, the Knights of Columbus Auxiliary and the Mother and Child Ministry. Mrs. Raney was known as LaVona to her family, as Margaret to her neighbors, coworkers and at church, and as Newby to her husband's family. She loved animals, especially dogs. She enjoyed traveling and movies and loved music. Mrs. Raney is survived by her brother-in-law, Edwin Scott Raney of Washington, Indiana; uncle, Arthur Anderson of Macon; nephews, Thomas Raney of Washington, Indiana and David (Robyn) Bilbrey of Acworth, Georgia, and niece, Martha (Buddy) Hawkins of Clarksville, Georgia. She is also survived by numerous cousins, including Timothy (Melissa) Anderson, Lena Bean, Nelda Chapman, Harold (Freeda) Chapman, Jackie (Billy) Mann, Marsha (Don) Moneyham and Jack (Melba) Chapman. She also leaves behind wonderful neighbors and caregivers. Her family is most grateful for their loving ministry to her. Register online at www.hartsmort.com. Hart's Mortuary and Crematory, Cherry Streert, has charge of arrangements.