Lyma Raulerson

Mrs. Lyma Fish Raulerson, age 89, of Macclenny, Florida ascended to her heavenly home on February 16, 2015. She was born in February 1925 to Benjamin Foy and Sarah Canaday Fish in Taylor, Florida and lived her entire life in Baker County. Lyma was married to T.J. Raulerson for 62 years before he preceded her in death. She was a Christian lady who witnessed and prayed for her family, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and friends. Lyma Raulerson graduated from Taylor High School where she played basketball and was salutatorian of her class. She attended Florida State College for Women in Tallahassee then returned to Baker County to teach school. Following the return of T.J. from World War II, she and her husband operated the family grocery in Macclenny, Fla. until T.J. decided to enter politics, running for the office of Baker County Tax Collector. T.J. Raulerson was tax collector for 32 years while Lyma served as his assistant tax collector. She retired from this position after 35 years of service to the people of Baker County. Lyma Raulerson was active in many community and church activities. She was a member of the Macclenny Woman’s Club for over 50 years, serving as an officer and committee chairperson. Lyma was a member of the Leona Knabb Chapter of the Eastern Star where she served as worthy matron. Mrs. Raulerson was a Guardian Ad Lite in Baker County, serving as a child advocate and voice for those children in need. She was a member of the Glen Baptist Church, Glen St. Mary, Fla. and Raiford Road Church in Macclenny, Fla.. While attending Glen Baptist, she was a sixth grade Sunday school teacher for over 50 years and served in WMU (Women’s Missions). As a mother of five children, she was recognized on Mother’s Day for having all her children in attendance at church. Mrs. Raulerson believed that busy children were happy children, so she assured that all of her children were involved in multiple after-school activities, church activities, as well as summer camps and summer farm work. Lyma Raulerson was preceded in death by her husband, parents, her brothers and sister: Buster Fish, Dorsey Fish, Wassie Fish, Ben Fish, Kenneth Fish and Iris Fish Williams. Her surviving siblings are: Cherrie Fish Pearson, Joyce Fish Thrift, Ellen Fish Lee, Bill (Betty) Fish and Typhenes (Don) Fish Midkiff. Lyma was the mother of five children. Her children and their spouses are: Gale (Marcus) Rhoden, Tommy (Arlene) Raulerson, Wanda (Mike) Walker, Rev. John (Wanda Sue) Raulerson and Jan (Joe) Betros. All her children live in Macclenny, Fla. She has fourteen grandchildren: Marc Rhoden, Suzanne Rhoden, Dr. Tom (DeeDee) Raulerson, Matt Raulerson, Adam (Sheri) Raulerson, Robbi (Jody) Aberly, Claudette (Marcus) Mallory, Rita (Don) Mairs, Kara (Tanner) Griffith, Kanon (Nathaniel) Simmons, Kaylon (John) Marks, Jill Betros, Jeff Betros and Jake Betros. Grandmother Lyma was also adored by her 18 great-grandchildren: Jentri Nicole Rhoden, Ty, Emma, Lilah and Grady Raulerson, Alexa Raulerson, Lola Aberly, Kessler, Blakeley and Walker Mallory, Ava, Cole, Ben and Sarah Mairs, Archer Griffith, Dorothy Simmons and a soon-to-be great-granddaughter and great-grandson. She is also blessed with many cousins, nieces, nephews, sister-in-laws and a multitude of friends. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 A.M. Thursday, Feb. 19, in the Raiford Road Church, Macclenny, Fla. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 P.M. Wednesday, Feb. 18, at her church. Interment will be in North Prong Cemetery, Baxter, Florida. Pallbearers will be her grandsons: Marc Rhoden, Dr. Tom Raulerson, Matt Raulerson, Adam Raulerson, Robbie Aberly, Jeff Betros and Jake Betros. Please make memorials to the Raiford Road Church Building Fund, 9201 South State Road 121, Macclenny, Florida 32063. GUERRY FUNERAL HOME , 420 East Macclenny Avenue, U.S. 90 East, Macclenny, Florida is in charge of arrangements. www.guerryfuneralhome.net

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