Funeral service for Max Raby, age 82, of Fayetteville, TN, will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at Higgins Funeral Home with Bro. Ennis Hyman and Rev. Philip Bunch officiating. Burial will follow in the Riverview Memorial Gardens. Visitation with the family will be from 10 AM until 2 PM on Saturday at Higgins Funeral Home.
Max was born on February 9, 1941, in Lynchburg, TN, to the late Gill and Elsie Phelps Raby. He was a 1959 graduate of the Moore County High School and a 1963 graduate of Middle Tennessee State College (now MTSU). Mr. Raby coached for four years at the old Robert E. Lee School and then joined the Fayetteville Junior High School when it opened in 1968. Coach Raby retired from Fayetteville Schools after 30 years of coaching boys’ and girls’ basketball, football, track, serving as athletic director, and the physical education teacher. After retirement from Fayetteville, Coach Raby accepted a position as boys basketball coach with Limestone County Schools in Ardmore, AL. Max’s coaching carrier continued another 10 years in Ardmore. Mr. Raby passed away on February 16, 2023, at Donelson Care Center.
Survivors include his wife of 23 years, Cathy Phillips Raby; daughters, Stacy Monet Raby (Joe Richardson) of Cookeville, TN, and Tori Raby of Hazel Green, AL; sisters, Wanda (Larry) Burns of Lynchburg, TN, and June Warren of Shelbyville, TN; step-daughter, Lori (Chris) Thornton of Fayetteville; step-son, Daniel Boone, III of Athens, AL; step-grandsons, Austen (Braden) Thornton, Wesley Thornton (Emily Paladino); step-granddaughter, Taylor Boone; step-great-grandson, Banks Thornton; numerous nieces, and nephews; sister-in-law, Sue Phillips Monks; and special friends, Jack Boaz, Ennis Hyman, Reagor Branch, and Sammy Caldwell. In addition to his parents, Max was preceded in death by his brother, Johnnie Watson Raby; sister, Anna Jewell Hale; and brother-in-law, Jimmy Phillips.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Fabulous Fifties Foundation, P.O. Box 934, Fayetteville, TN 37334, or the Charity Cemetery Fund, c/o Danny Baker, 9941 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Lynchburg, TN 37352.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Max Raby.
37 Comments To "Max Raby"
#1 Comment By Phillip Brown On February 17, 2023 @ 12:25 pm
Some of our best memories are on Uncle Max’s farm. Our love and prayers to the family as you go through these very hard days.
#2 Comment By MaryAnn Mason On February 17, 2023 @ 12:42 pm
Cathy, I’m so sorry to hear about Max! Max and I go way back and Wade and I always had good memories of Max. Bless you and your family.
#3 Comment By Teresa Honey On February 17, 2023 @ 1:17 pm
So sorry for your loss.He was a good man and loved sports.Teresa Honey
#4 Comment By Jerry Raby On February 17, 2023 @ 1:49 pm
I am so sorry to hear of his passing. Thoughts and prayers for the family.
#5 Comment By Roger Laster On February 17, 2023 @ 2:43 pm
The best coach I’ve played for
He had a way of getting more out of a player than they thought
I also will miss the man
#6 Comment By Rebecca Jane Jeans On February 17, 2023 @ 3:01 pm
William and I worked with Mr Max at Tate Farms. Such a wonderful man!
#7 Comment By CAPTAIN SCOTT SHELTON On February 17, 2023 @ 3:15 pm
Coach Raby was the first coach I ever had. He taught me how to play baseball in minor league.
Later when I arrived at FJHS, I was reunited with him as my P.E.teacher, football, and track coach. He taught me discipline, team work, and how to stand up for yourself.
I feared and more importantly, respected him.
He was the most inspirational Coach/Instructor I ever had during my time in school. He left an unforgettable impression on me for life.
I am forever grateful to have had him in my life. I wish I had had his coaching longer.
He was particular, tough, belligerent, and knew how to motivate the best out of oneself. He will never be forgotten!
My deepest sympathy to his family.
Very respectfully,
Scott Shelton
Captain, Delta Airlines
#8 Comment By Mike & Jeanie Hyde On February 17, 2023 @ 4:01 pm
Max was a great coach and wonderful friend.
He will be missed by all that knew him.
Prayers to his family in their time of loss.
#9 Comment By Beverly Brown -Hadley On February 17, 2023 @ 4:01 pm
The best and hardest coach ever,but always fair.An admirable man Sleep in peace Coach
#10 Comment By Sharon Blalack-McClendon On February 17, 2023 @ 4:34 pm
I had just learned to tie lanyards while I was a basketball manager in 8th grade. I must have given him dozens of them for his whistle. I couldn’t play basketball well or run track well, but I loved being the basketball manager. What a great teacher he was, and a wonderful mentor. Sending much love to his family. Rest in peace Coach.
#11 Comment By Alvin Palmer On February 17, 2023 @ 5:27 pm
Coach Raby gave me the opportunity to start my career with him. In the spring of 1978 I had the extreme pleasure of doing my student teaching and coaching with a great man and coach.
God Bless the family and Coach will be missed!
#12 Comment By SHELIA HADLEY HENDERSON On February 17, 2023 @ 5:32 pm
Thoughts and Prayers for the family Coach Raby will always be Remembered to me as one the Best Coaches ever ! Rest In Peace Coach.
#13 Comment By Shelby Gooding Thompson On February 17, 2023 @ 5:36 pm
He taught me how to tie my shoes 24 years ago. He tied my shoes everyday in PE until I figured it out on my own. Such a small act of kindness that he didn’t think twice about but has stuck with me my whole life.
#14 Comment By Ray Steelman On February 17, 2023 @ 8:07 pm
It’s hard to believe Max is gone. He was a great mentor for me and I eventually joined him at Fayetteville Junior High where we shared in the coaching duties and taught school. Over the years, I have thought about him almost daily. He was a great friend and one that I will always remember.
#15 Comment By Amenia Landers On February 18, 2023 @ 12:43 am
My condolences and prayers to the family. Coach Raby was awesome!
#16 Comment By Marcella Love Beavers On February 18, 2023 @ 3:38 am
Coach was a very good coach I played basketball and ran track for him . I will truly miss him
#17 Comment By Nancy Sams On February 18, 2023 @ 5:04 am
Sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Raby, I didn’t know him personally but he was a good neighbor to my Mom and Dad, the Davidson’s.
#18 Comment By Carol Petty White On February 18, 2023 @ 9:07 am
I have so many fond memories of growing up Charity with Max and his family.
My deepest sympathy to family.
#19 Comment By Benny King On February 18, 2023 @ 9:35 am
Cathy, I am so sorry for your loss. If I can do anything please call. Ben
#20 Comment By Rickey Honey On February 18, 2023 @ 9:48 am
Prayers to family My coach at RELee in football and basketball Haled hay and worked in tobacco patch for him Loved this man as a coach and friend
#21 Comment By Alice F Ford On February 18, 2023 @ 3:37 pm
Deepest and sincere condolences to the family of Coach Ray. He was a great Coach and was my Track Coach at FJHS. Resr in paradise.
#22 Comment By Shaterra King Miller On February 18, 2023 @ 5:56 pm
My most sincere condolences to the Raby Family. May the Lord give you comfort and peace. Coach Raby was the best coach I ever had! He was one of the greatest of all times and will truly be missed.
#23 Comment By Lewis Owens On February 18, 2023 @ 7:21 pm
Coach Max Raby;
You taught me how to play the game with skill and passion. I thank you for that because a lot of the lessons on the field were life lessons off the field. You was a great man to me and may you rest in peace
#24 Comment By Janine Wilson On February 18, 2023 @ 7:26 pm
Max and I were friends for over 40 years and we have lost a unique individual and a good man. He was truly one-of-a-kind and will be remembered fondly by many. Eddie and I send condolences to his family.
#25 Comment By John and Betty Taylor On February 18, 2023 @ 7:31 pm
Tori, Monet, and Cathy
Prayers for all of you during this difficult time. Max was respected as a coach, and we are sure he influenced many young lives. May God wrap his arms around you and give you peace.
#26 Comment By Rev Regina Brown Taylor On February 20, 2023 @ 8:24 am
Coach Raby was my Basketball and Track Coach at Fayetteville Jr High School. His persistent and diligent work ethic was positively etched in my life many years ago and I’m grateful. He taught me to physically workout, push my body to be stronger, and go the extra mile. Now, I am a Licensed and Ordained Minister of the Gospel, I have been married for 38 years to Retired Air Force MSgt Steve Taylor, I have 2 sons, 4 grandchildren, and I have worked in the Federal Government for 27 years. My husband and I exercise by walking the bypass in Fayetteville. I am able to walk long distances due to the work ethic that I received from Coach Raby. He will be missed but his life and legacy will live on in his students. “To God Be All The Glory” And We Know That All Things Work Together For Good, To Them that Love the Lord, To Them who are called According to His Purpose Romans 8:28 Song: “Let The Work That I’ve Done Speak For Me”
#27 Comment By Kevin Henderson On February 22, 2023 @ 7:22 am
Thank you Coach for making me the best I could be you push me to the top you are my #1 coach of all time just save me a spot when it’s my time and teach me more football love KevinHenderson
#28 Comment By Matthew Riggins On February 22, 2023 @ 7:41 pm
A good man.
#29 Comment By Danny Gipson On February 24, 2023 @ 12:27 pm
I was very proud of my Uncle Max because he was a good coach. I played 3 sports growing up and when we had family get gatherings he was always helping me. I would agree he could be tough. I think he got that from my grandfather. Thank you for all the great memories.
#30 Comment By Mickey Moffett On February 24, 2023 @ 3:54 pm
My thoughts and prayers go out to Coach Raby’s family. He was a great coach and teacher. He was fair and honest and taught all of his players to have respect for themselves and others and to be accountable for our actions. I am glad I had the opportunity to have him coach me in several different sports. There are a lot of life lessons that we learned from him. May God give Coach Raby’s family peace and comfort during this time of mourning.
#31 Comment By James Waller On February 24, 2023 @ 4:09 pm
MY FAVORITE REMEMBRANCE OF COACH MAX RABY IS HIS TELLING A TEAMMATE DURING BASKETBALL PRACTICE: “JAMES, ONCE HE MAKES UP HIS MIND TO GO TO THE BASKET, DOESN’T TAKE HIS EYES OFF THE GOAL.” HIS REMARK IS EVEN MORE SIGNIFICANT IN MY PRESENT LIFE. I SAW HIM ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO AND HE TOLD ME: “I SEE THAT YOU ARE STILL GROWING.” REST IN PEACE COACH.
#32 Comment By Vernon Frazier On February 24, 2023 @ 6:55 pm
I only met Max a couple of years ago and we had several talks about the old times and memories we both had from years ago. I enjoyed those sessions very much he will be missed. I will miss seeing him may he fly away to a better world/home.
#33 Comment By Tony Hockett On February 25, 2023 @ 10:12 am
Thank you for allowing me to be the first African American quarterback at Fayetteville Junior High in 1971.
#34 Comment By Sissy Motlow Parks On February 25, 2023 @ 4:53 pm
I am so blessed to have Coach Raby in my life.
He was my teacher, coach and mentor. The best was when I went to FJHS and got to teach PE with him his last year with the City.
There is no way I can put into words of how much he meant to me and the woman and coach I became.
He spent 8 years with a bunch of little girls, teens and college women coaching and teaching us the game of fast pitch softball. HUSTLERS!! Fayetteville first tracing team. We loved him so much and his influence will always be with us.
Rest in peace Coach and thank you for all you did for me.
#35 Comment By Lenace Hyde Lehnert On February 26, 2023 @ 6:14 pm
Coach Raby was one of those people whom everyone learned a lot from and respected most. He taught from the old school that we can look back and say I remember Coach Raby as that kind of teacher and coach. The world is a better place and the students who had the privilege of having him in class gained so much from knowing him. I am glad to call him a friend and a man whom I respected from what was learned from him. Prayers to his family now and in the days to come.
Lenace Hyde Lehnert.
#36 Comment By Karen Herrington On February 28, 2023 @ 9:30 pm
Tori, I was sorry to hear of your father’s passing. I know you loved him dearly and he loved you as well. I pray that all the memories you shared together will bring you comfort in the days ahead. I will continue to keep you in my prayers. God bless you.
Karen Herrington
#37 Comment By Marilynn Smith Newman On March 12, 2023 @ 3:24 pm
Coach Raby was a math teacher when I attended Fayetteville Jr High. He was stern and no nonsense, but he also would walk past me and encourage me when I was about to give up. He along with many other encouragers are one of the reasons I became a teacher. He had a powerful impact on my life