Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

January 25, 2019

Elizabeth Efird Raby (Snookie), 100, died Friday, January 25, 2019 at Southminster Retirement Community.

Mrs. Raby was born in Charlotte April 12, 1918, to the late Joseph Bivens Efird and Elizabeth Withers Efird.   She married Robert E. Abel, Jr. in 1939. He was an officer in the U.S. Navy and died in action in 1945. She was married to Dr. William Thomas Raby from 1951 until his death in 1979. She was also preceded in death by her brothers Joseph Bivens Efird and Hugh Martin Efird.

Mrs. Raby attended Charlotte schools and graduated from Roberts Beach School in Catonsville, Maryland and Fairmont College in Washington, DC. She studied at the New York School of Interior Decoration while working for the buying office of Efird’s Department Stores in New York.

Upon her return to Charlotte, she was active in civic and cultural organizations including the Mint Museum of Art, the Junior League of Charlotte, and the Mecklenburg Medical Society Auxiliary. She served on the board of the YWCA and was an active member of Myers Park Baptist Church. She was involved in a multi-church effort that established Southminster Retirement Community. She later lived there for 10 years, and the family would like to thank Southminster’s dedicated staff for their care. Special thanks to Janice Hart for her kind support.

Mrs. Raby enjoyed travel including numerous return trips to New York City, growing roses, sitting on the beach at Litchfield, birdwatching, and being with family and friends. She knew how to make you feel special, and always found time for what was truly important. Her extended family was always welcome in her home, and they cherished time spent with her. She was an exceptionally loyal friend.

Mrs. Raby is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Raby Mears of Solano Beach, California and sons, William Thomas Raby, Jr and wife,Ellen of Charlotte, and James Grover Raby and wife, Kathryn of Charlotte. She was the perfect grandmother to her six grandchildren Matthew Mears, Benjamin and Patrick Raby, and William, Harrison and Elizabeth Raby.

The family will receive friends from 6:30-8:30 PM on Thursday, January 31, 2019 at the home of Kathryn and Jim Raby, 1300 Biltmore Drive, Charlotte, NC.

A service celebrating her life will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, February 1, 2019 at Myers Park Baptist Church with a reception following in Heaton Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Myers Park Baptist Church, 1800 Queens Rd., Charlotte, NC 28207 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.