Lena Mae Raby

Lena Mae Raby, 87, resident of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, died Friday, October 6, 2023 at her home. She was born July 19, 1936 in Yazoo, Mississippi to the late Isaiah Grayson and the late Essie Harris Grayson. Lena was a mother of nine children, three boys and six girls, whose heart was so big, she picked up several more along the way. Her family meant everything to her.

She relocated to Missouri at the age of three years old. Lena moved to Bell City, where she graduated from Bell City High School. While there, she was known as a phenomenal person and a great basketball player. Over the years, she decided to give back to the youth in her community by becoming an administrator for Headstart for several years.

Lena accepted Christ at a young age. She was a faithful member of New Morning Star Baptist Church in Haywood City, Missouri under the direction of Pastor Lee Blissett. Lena devoted her life to Christ and serving the Lord. She earned her title as a Mother of the Church, which she took pride in.

She was married in holy matrimony to Kenneth Raby, who she loved dearly, in 1978. They spent many years of love together.

Lena was a beautiful people person whose smile could light up a room. She enjoyed life without negativity. She never had a bad thing to say about anyone or anything. Her love for basketball stayed with her throughout her life. She was happy playing and watching her children and grandchildren play sports as well. They lit up her life. If she wasn’t with family, she could be found playing cards with her friends, especially tonk for money, playing bingo, or at the casino. Lena was fond of fishing in her spare time too. She will be truly missed.

Lena is preceded in death by her husband of over 30 years, Kenneth Raby, and her son, Steven “Fatman” McCray.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories hers sons, QT (Willie Mae) McCray and Reggie McCray both of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and Isaiah (Cynthia) McCray of Haywood City, Missouri, her daughters, Essie McCray, Lisa McCray, Salena (Taren) Reed all of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Athrilla Raby of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Tashika (Roger) Banks of Sikeston, Missouri, Laura Williamson, Lisa Haynes of Kansas City, Missouri, and Elnora Timmons, her brother, Lamont Turner of Sikeston, Missouri, her sisters, Regina Turner of Cape Girardeau, Missouri and Yolanda Turner of Sikeston, Missouri, 33 grandchildren, 62 great grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren, and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Friends may call Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. until the funeral hour of 1:00 P.M. at New Morning Star Baptist Church in Haywood City, Missouri. Interment will follow in New Morning Star Cemetery in Haywood City with the Williams Funeral Homes in charge of arrangements.