Carolyn McGehee Rakes

Carolyn McGehee Rakes, 79, of Reidsville, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on October 6, 2026.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, October 9, 2026 at Wilkerson Funeral Home with Pastor Rick Church officiating. The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM on Thursday, October 8, 2026 at the funeral home. Burial will follow the service at Evergreen Memory Gardens.

Carolyn was born March 15, 1947, to the late Stella Flynn and Henry McGehee Sr. She is survived by her son, Timothy Rakes (Debbie), granddaughter, Catina Rakes Daniels (Julian), and 5 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Donald.

"Duck" McGehee (Amanda), nieces and nephews Fondra Finney (Charles), Gary McGehee, Randy McGehee (Elisa, Cathy Hartley (Mark), Chris McGehee (Liz), and a large extended family.

During her life, Carolyn was mostly a homemaker; however, she worked at Farmer's Table restaurant as a cook for several years. Carolyn had a heart of gold who would give anyone the shirt off her back or make them a sandwich if they needed it. She never met a stranger and always testified to everyone about her love and faith in Jesus. Carolyn was a woman of many talents. She could put together the most delicious meal that you knew she made with love. She was very artistic and enjoyed drawing and crafting. She was gifted a green thumb for gardening and loved sunflowers. Carolyn was also blessed with a beautiful voice that she used to sing God's praises.

Carolyn is preceded in death by her mother, Stella Flynn, both fathers Henry McGehee Sr. and Luther Flynn, brothers Melvin McGehee, Henry "Dinkie" McGehee, Frankie McGehee, her daughter Charlene Rakes, grandson Dustin Rakes, and her lifelong best friend, Thomas the Cat.

In lieu of flowers, Carolyn's family requests that donations can be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

Final message from Carolyn...

"I'm going to Heaven, are you?"