Obituaries: Tom Raburn, 1937, Winn Parish, LA
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From: October 29, 1937 Winnfield News-American or Winn Parish Enterprise

Tom Raburn, 82 Year Old Respected Winn Parish Negro Passes To Reward

Tom Raburn had lived 82 years and happy ones with his wife, Nancy, when death
claimed him at the ripe old age of 82, at his home north of Tannehill, Friday
of last week.  Tom Raburn was one of Winn Parish's respected Negro citizens.

His long life, marked by no achievement that would place him in the hall of
fame of his own race, was one of usefulness and influence in his own sphere. 
He owned his own home on which he has lived with his wife, Nancy, who is now
74, for the past forty-six years, was the father of 14 children, six of whom
are living.  He was a member of the Union Hill colored Baptist Church for 54
years and though his counsel was held in high regard in church circles he
remained all these years just a good "bench member", never aspiring to be a
deacon, but he always "led in prayer."

And when the last rites were said over Tom it was in the presence of a host of
his neighbors and in the surrounding group were a score or more of "white
folks" that had come to pay their last respects to him.  The funeral services
were held by Rev. Hicks, his pastor, and interment was made in the Union Hill
Cemetery that had claimed the bodies of his eight children who had passed on.

Tom and his wife Nancy had never been separated and their relations to
fidelity and loyalty were examples to their children and others.  Nancy was
Tom's preference or pleasure and he was hers as was revealed on his deathbed
when Nancy asked him if he could recall any flaw in her disposition or
character that was displeasing to him.  Tom answered that Nancy "was perfect"
and that it was one of his regrets that his life had not been as exemplary as
hers.

Nancy is left to carry on and it is safe to say she will always sense and feel
Tom's way of doing things.