Mildred (Mickey) Louise Epps Raby, 96, of Ocala, FL, formerly of Knoxville, TN, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 12, 2020.
Mickey was a graduate of Old Knoxville High School in 1942 and attended the University of Tennessee. Throughout her years in Knoxville (1961-2014), she was active in several church, community, and civic activities. She was a great golfer, once even scoring a hole in one. She led Girl Scouts, participated in Akima Club, played tennis at the Racquet Club, and sang with the Knoxville Women’s Chorus and the Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church Choir. Mickey and her husband, Kenneth N. Raby (former special agent with the FBI), loved entertaining. They often hosted YoungLife and church activities, and she enjoyed attending Women’s Circle and various Bible studies. Together, they raised three daughters and modeled what a God honoring marriage and Christ-centered family looks like. In retirement years, she and Ken traveled, enjoying family and friends from all over.
Mickey and Ken relocated to Ocala in 2014, where they attended Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church. Mickey faithfully attended a weekly women’s Bible study. She lived at Brookdale Chambrel Pinecastle and was active as hospitality chairman and president of the council there. Her favorite activities throughout her 96 years included water aerobics, walking, golfing, playing bridge, reading, and singing. She looked forward to the many "girls trips" planned by her daughters, often enjoying the Florida coast. Mickey loved discussing current events with her sons-in-law. A smile was always on her face when she was around any of her six beloved grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ken, of 72 years; her parents, Mildred Fortune Epps and Gale F. Epps; brothers, Kyle E. Epps and Morris F. Epps; and sister, Edith Epps Clendenen.
Mickey is survived by her children, Joanne Raby Bertalan and husband Reverend Edward F. Bertalan of Ocala, FL; Jane Raby Johnson and husband John T. Johnson of Knoxville, TN; Marcia Raby Acuff and husband Dr. Robert V. Acuff of Elizabethton, TN; six grandchildren, Marianne Bertalan Anderson, Amy Bertalan Bowles, Ginny Bertalan O’Kain, Josh Johnson, Joy Johnson Cooper, and Marcia Allison Nicole Acuff; 16 great-grandchildren; and sister, Betty Arnett, of Anchorage, AK.
Her last words of advice to her family following the reading of her favorite Bible passage, 1 Corinthians 13, were “love each other and be happy," which was something she displayed well throughout her life.
Immediate Family Graveside Service will be held on August 10, 2020, at 3:00 p.m. at Highland Memorial Cemetery, Knoxville, TN. Officiating are Rev. Ed Bertalan and Rev. Matt Bowles. Pallbearers are Drew Anderson, Matt Bowles, Darrell O’Kain, Josh Johnson, and John Cooper.
*All obituaries are submitted by family and friends of the deceased.
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