To all who knew her, Norma Raines was a very loving, happy, and kind woman. She spent her entire life devoted to serving her family, friends, and her Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Norma achieved her highest goal on Jan. 5, 2026, when she drew her final breath and moved into the loving arms of her Heavenly Father, the One she sought to serve every day of her life.
Norma was born in Harlan, Kentucky on May 13, 1934. She was the daughter of a coal miner. After growing up in extreme poverty in Kentucky, she moved with her mother to Roxsbury, Massachusetts, where she graduated from high school. Norma and her mother then moved to California, where she met her future husband, Joseph Raines, at the First Baptist Church of Redwood City. After their marriage, Joe and Norma raised three children in California for 14 years. In 1970, the family moved to Subic Bay in the Philippines Islands because of Joe’s work for the U.S. government. During that time, Norma worked as a secretary for the commander of the Navy Exchange. They then moved to Maryland in 1975, where Norma worked at a federal research center. In 1984, Joe and Norma moved back to the Philippines, where Norma was employed by the naval intelligence service. Upon Joe’s retirement, the couple moved to Foley, Alabama, in 1988, where they lived for almost 40 years.
Norma was a devoted wife and mother. She married the love of her life, Joseph Raines, Jr., in 1954. They had a deep and abiding love for each other through their 69 years of marriage. Norma was a long -time, faithful member of Gulf Shores First Baptist Church and a more recent member of Church at the Shores in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Her greatest joys were spending time with her family, game nights with friends, and cheering on the Alabama Crimson Tide with her husband. She always had an ever-present smile and was very kind, friendly, and generous toward everyone she met.
Norma is preceded in death by her parents, Sylvan Blair and Eleanor Wilbar Blair, and her brothers Jack, Ray, Bill, and Tom. She leaves behind a devoted family, including her three children: daughter Joyce Raines Woodburn (Woody), daughter Brenda Raines Grabbe (Mike), and son Michael J. Raines (Patty). She is also survived by her eight grandchildren: Lindsey Hunter (Ben), Rebekah Kennedy (Shawn), Allison Hotchkiss (Adam), Lauren Simmons (Preston), Joseph M. Raines, John Grabbe (Jennie), Michael G. Raines (Rebekkah), and Kelley Wilson (Eric). Her legacy continues through her 20 great-grandchildren, who from oldest to youngest include: Nathan Hotchkiss, Kate Hunter, Jackson Hunter, Cooper Simmons, Blaize Jones, Maggie Kennedy, Caroline Hotchkiss, James Wilson, Hannah Simmons, Hazel Jones, Emily Hotchkiss, Logan Grabbe, Dominic Grabbe, Macallan Kennedy, Avery Wilson, Abigail Hotchkiss, Elliot Raines, Sydney Wilson, Jack Raines, and Graeme Raines.
The family would like to give special thanks to the personnel at Seagrass Village in Gulf Shores, Southern Care Hospice, the various doctors and nurses who helped Norma through her later years. Their thanks also extend to the myriads of friends and neighbors who provided wonderful care and affection to Norma during her final days.
A memorial service was held for Norma at Pine Rest Cemetery on January 10, 2026. It was led by Dr. Shawn Kennedy, Lead Pastor at Church of the Shores, and Joshua Lindsey, Music Minister at Church of the Shores. Norma will be missed by so many people, but most especially by her family, extended family, and her many friends.
