Shirley May Ragains

November 2, 2015

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Shirley May (Hutchins) Ragains 80, of Frankfort, IN, died at 8 p.m. November 2, 2015 at Clinton House Health and Rehabilitation Center.  Born January 26, 1935 in Lancaster, Ohio, the daughter of Karl Wilber Hutchins and Vera Lucille (Hutcheson) Hutchins. Her marriage of 59 years was to Arnolddean Ragains on June 8, 1956 at the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Chillicothe, Ohio. Shirley graduated from Chillicothe High School in 1953 and graduated from Frankfort Pilgrim College in 1958 where she was her class valedictorian. She had several jobs throughout her life. She worked at Mallory, Woolworth, Zachary, Pixie Playhouse, and Frankfort Middle School and Frankfort High School as an educational paraprofessional in special education. She was active member of the First Wesleyan Church where she was a Sunday school teacher, VBS teacher, Kid’s Club teacher, choir member and a member of the church board. Her passion was teaching children about Jesus and His love for them. Shirley was a loving wife, devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was a faithful servant of Jesus Christ and is with her beloved Savior today! Shirley and her husband had three children, 77 foster children in their care for over 24 years. She loved children and opened her heart and her home to help give children the love and support they desperately needed.

Visitation and Services

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at Goodwin Funeral Home. A celebration of life will be held at her church, First Wesleyan Church at 10 a.m. on Thursday, November 5th. Burial will be in Green Lawn Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the First Wesleyan Church.

Survived by:

her husband, Arnolddean Ragains, daughter, Vera (David) Gillum of Winamac, IN, sons, John Ragains of Shelbyville and Michael (Dusty) Ragains of Frankfort, brother, John of Frankfort and sister, Margaret of Oregon, 11 grandchildren, Garren Gillum, Myriah Gillum, Cassie Ragains, Zachary Ragains, Alex Ragains, Kaleb Ragains, Savannah Wright, Sierra Wright, Elizabeth Rogers, Shannon Rogers and Cora Ragains, and two great granddaughters, Lotus Shea Wright and Annabelle Nichole Ragains.

Preceded by:

her parents, brother David, sister Ruth Hutchins and a foster son, Gene Thatcher.

Memorial Video

Click on the video below to play.

Condolences

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20 Condolences for “Shirley May Ragains”

  1. Nora November 3, 2015 at 7:19 pm

    What a wonderful, fulfilling life she had serving the Lord. May her legacy live on through each of you.

    Reply
  2. Mike Nease November 3, 2015 at 7:20 pm

    Prayers and sympathy to the family. She touched so many lives and will be missed.

    Mike and Veronica Nease

    Reply
  3. Bobbi Carter November 3, 2015 at 7:32 pm

    She was a lovely lady. It was my honor to work with, and learn from, her.

    Reply
  4. Megan November 3, 2015 at 10:03 pm

    Shirley was a truly beautiful person. She was always positive and thought of others before herself. She has left such a wonderful mark on this world that no one will ever forget. She will truly be missed.

    Reply
  5. Sheila Seward Whiteman November 3, 2015 at 10:30 pm

    I have a lot of memories of this beautiful woman. Shirley taught Bible school, I played at her house many times. Oh how the Angels must have sang when you went home. Rest now for your work is done. She was a mother to anyone who needed one. God Rest Her Soul. Prayers of love and comfort for John and all the family. God BLESS

    Reply
  6. Joyce Boyer November 4, 2015 at 12:00 am

    Alex, sorry to hear the passing of your grandmother. Sounds as though she was a true follower of Jesus. May God Bless you and your family with comfort and peace. The Boyer Family

    Reply
  7. Kristi Pavey November 4, 2015 at 12:11 am

    I’m so sorry for your loss. Shirley was a wonderful, Godly woman who loved God and loved others, especially children! She was always kind, loving, and had a smile on her face. We will be praying for your family through this difficult time.

    Reply
  8. Rose and Jim Eldridge November 4, 2015 at 9:53 am

    What an inspiration Shirley was to me! She was a role model and true friend during our years as foster parents. Her family was so important to her. I always enjoyed hearing her tell of their accomplishments. Blessings on all her family! Know you were all well loved!
    Rose Eldridge

    Reply
  9. William Keever November 4, 2015 at 10:24 am

    Shirley Ragains a Saint of GOD. Shirley a friend to all who met and knew her.. Shirley Our loss is Heavens gain! I rejoice with her during her home going. Love You Shirley!

    Reply
  10. Heather Roberts November 4, 2015 at 10:36 am

    Mike and Vera, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

    Reply
  11. Cindy Kelly November 4, 2015 at 12:14 pm

    She was a great person!! She will be missed!!

    Reply
  12. Tausha Van Briggle November 4, 2015 at 12:46 pm

    My thoughts and prayers are with you all in this difficult time….she was a wonderful lady….i only knew her a short time while I work in the home with Geno but it was like I knew her a life time…

    Reply
  13. Nancy Elsea November 4, 2015 at 2:13 pm

    Shirley was truly a blessing to so many foster children, their families and to our community. As a caseworker who placed many children with Shirley and Dean, I was fortunate to have her teaching me. She and her family members took many children who were lost, alone and afraid and instilled their love and faith in those they cared for. I never knew her to turn away any child and she worked tirelessly with both the children and their families. Shirley truly lived her faith. Her legacy will live on through her children and those children and families she served. My prayers are with all of you.
    Nancy Elsea

    Reply
  14. Gina Gorman Emery November 5, 2015 at 11:09 am

    Vera, Sorry to hear about your Mother. She was a special lady. She will be missed by many. Thoughts and Prayers are with you and your family.

    Reply
  15. Tammy (Ragains) Shelley November 5, 2015 at 11:21 pm

    Vera, so sorry to hear of this family loss here but, I am glad to know we will all be together again on the other side. Mom (Anita Ragains) sends her sympathy.

    Reply
  16. Jenny Harris November 6, 2015 at 2:00 pm

    Dear Ragains family,

    I enjoyed Shirley’s memorial video, thank you for allowing us to take a trip down memory lane with you and take a small peek inside Shirley’s life. I did not know Shirley well, but what I knew I enjoyed. Shirley was a woman that loved the Lord. Shirley not only talked her faith she walked it. What a kind, beautiful, humble and unassuming soul this woman of faith had. As you grieve this time and as sad and hard as it was to say good bye….smile a little for Shirley….she is truly home. There is no doubt as you said “see you later” the saints were celebrating and saying….”Look here comes Shirley!!!” Praying for God’s peace and comfort for Shirley’s family.

    Sincerely.

    Reply
  17. Don- Debbie Baker November 6, 2015 at 10:04 pm

    We are so sorry for your loss. We always knew she was a nice caring lady. Reading about her love for God and people, confirms this to all. May God give you peace and comfort.

    Reply
  18. rhonda poole November 7, 2015 at 1:51 pm

    Im so sad to hear this. To the family my deepest codolences im gonna miss her ive known you all fir a long time youre all like my family!
    Rhonda

    Reply
  19. Pamela Howe November 12, 2015 at 5:13 am

    So sorry for your loss. The world’s loss, heavens great gain. Shirley was a true Saint. I never seen her without a smile on her face
    She had a sweet spirit and helped anyone who needed it.

    Reply
  20. Carole Christine Flynn December 1, 2015 at 6:17 pm

    Dear Family, Dean, and Vera. I just now read this about Shirley, your Wife and Mother. I am so deeply sorry for your loss, so deeply sorry, I didn’t know about her passing on into the arms of our Jesus. I will keep you close in heart and prayers as you go through the days, months ahead. I have such wonderful, warm memories of your entire family that began when I was a forth grader, I believe. A loving, caring family you were to all at First Pilgrim Holiness / First Wesleyan Church. Those very people shaped my heart for the love of the Lord, that continues on today. I am Thankful for the Love Jesus Christ I grew in at the hearts of sincere Godly people as, Shirley & Dean Ragains, their parents and others like them back then at the Church.
    Sincerely,
    Chris Cook (back then)

    Reply

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