Jack Rakestraw passed on to his heavenly home on September 24, 2022. He was a native of Marietta. He is survived by his children Jackie Johnson of Marietta, Cindy Rakestraw of Euharlee, Mark Rakestraw and wife Teri of California, Susan Stephens of Woodstock, and Joel Rakestraw and wife Ann of Hiram. He is also survived by his grandchildren Stephen Johnson, Joshua Johnson, Mary Daugherty, John Taylor, Robert Taylor, Zachary Rakestraw, Lindsay Rakestraw, Brandy Scott, Courtney Stephens, 22 great-grandchildren, and 5 great, great-grandchildren.
Jack was an Army veteran. After his service in the military, he acquired employment at General Motors in Doraville and remained there until he retired. In 1953 he married the love of his life, Norma. They remained together for sixty years. Jack and Norma made their home in Marietta where they raised their family. He and Norma originally joined Austin Avenue Church of God in Marietta in the early 1960s and were members of the church at the time if their passing. This church is now known as GraceLife Church on Allgood Road in Marietta.
Jack loved God, his family, and his church. He was a practical jokester that loved fishing and sports. He played on the Church of God softball team in his younger days. As a sports lover, he became a major fan of the Marietta High School football team and attended the games from 1947 up until he lost his sight in 2013. He was proud of the fact that he raised up his entire family to be avid fans of the University of Georgia football team the Georgia Bulldogs... and to that, we must all say, "Go Dawgs!"
The memorial arrangements are as follows:
Visitation will be Saturday, October 15, 2022, from 10-11 am with the memorial service beginning at 11. GraceLife Church is located at 1083 Allgood Road in Marietta, phone 770 971-4232. Interment will be at a later date in the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the GraceLife Church Strong WAL Foundation. This ministry honors our former pastor, Walter A. Langdon, who originated the idea of supporting retired ministers and their wives through monetary gifts. GraceLife Church is able to do this on a monthly basis. Jack was a great proponent of this idea and contributed throughout the years himself. Contributions can be made at the church the day of the funeral by envelope marked Strong WAL Foundation or through our online giving app, Pushpay.
