Bernice Raley

Bernice Dawkins Raley, age 85, of Troy, Alabama, passed away Saturday, February 6, 2016. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, February 9, 2016, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Green Hills Funeral Home with Reverends Andrew Knick and Mike Thomas officiating. Burial will follow in Elam Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery with Russell Thomas, Rhett Davis, Jim Davis, Lance Hartman, Roy Reynolds, Jerry Mount and Larry Thomas serving as pallbearers and Green Hills Funeral Home directing. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.  Mrs. Raley was a longtime, active member of Southside Baptist Church where she served in the WMU, Tuesday prayer group, and the Philathea Sunday school class. She dedicated 20 years of work to Troy University, retiring in 1991. Mrs. Raley was generous and kind, and a special kind of spirit. She was a tremendous caregiver, devoting 28 combined years of care to her husband and daughter before their passings. She was preceded in death by her parents, Will and Ola Dawkins; her husband, Zollie Conrad Raley; daughter, Toni Raley Jones; and sisters, Olene McCarthy, Wanda King, and Lucille Williamson. She is survived by her daughter, Sheila Butler; grandchildren, Heather (Blake) Hasenfuss, Mary Helen (John) Lett, Bethany (Dave) Jackson, Barry Butler, and Brad (Amber) Butler; great-grandchildren, Ali Butler, Brooke Butler, Barrington Butler, RaleyAnne Hasenfuss, Kellan Hassenfuss, and John David Jackson; brother, John Dawkins; and sister, Catherine Thomas.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her honor to Southside Baptist Church (522 South Brundidge Street Troy, Alabama 36081). Friends and family can sign the guestbook online at www.greenhillsfuneralhome.net. The staff of Green Hills Funeral Home is honored to serve the Raley family.