Geraldine "Shell" Raines Ivey

Geraldine “Shell” Raines Ivey, age 67, transitioned peacefully on Monday, April 21, 2025, leaving a legacy of love, laughter and fond memories.  She was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.

Her journey began on June 12, 1957, in Upson County, Georgia.  She was born to the late Fred Raines, Jr., and Betty Jean Thomlin Raines.

Shell grew up in Upson County, Georgia and accepted Christ at a young age.  In 1979, she married the love of her life, Emanuel Ivey, Sr. and to this union one child was born.

She was a graduate of R.E. Lee High School.  She worked at Blue Bird Corporation in Fort Valley, Georgia until she retired in 2023 after several decades of dedicated service.

Faith and family were important to Shell.  She dedicated her life to serving God and creating a legacy of love and generosity.  Shell loved God; she was a prayer warrior with a quiet spirit.  She enjoyed working in her yard, caring for her beautiful flowers and plants, laughing and spending time with her family.

She was a faithful member of the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, where she served on the Usher’s minis ministry and as a Deaconess, until her illness prevented her from serving.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred Raines, Jr. and Betty Jean Thomlin Raines; sisters, Earnestine Bentley, Jacqueline Renee Campbell and Bernadette Morgan and stepsister, Audrey W. Lowe.

Shell leaves the following to cherish her memory, her loving husband, Emanuel Ivey, Sr.; son, Emanuel Ivey, Jr.; two grandchildren, Ja’Korian Emanuel Ivey and Ja’Kaylen Emon Ivey; brothers, Kenneth Raines and Fred “Ricky” Raines III of Thomaston, Georgia; sister, Trudy Walker of Thomaston, Georgia; step brothers and sisters, Ronnie Wonnum (Imogene), Standley Wonnum, Sr. (Lucile), Lonnie C. Wonnum, Jr. (Gloria) and Lora A. Gaines all of Salem Community of Upson County, Georgia; brothers-in-law, Kenneth Campbell of Thomaston, Georgia, Gary Ivey, Sr. (Sharon), Richard Ivey (Cassandra); sisters-in-law, Lythosha Respress and Agnes Dickey (Dorsey) of Roberta, Georgia; aunts, Mable Brown of Thomaston, Georgia, Ruth Kendall of Conyers, Georgia and Louise Traylor of Logtown, Georgia; uncles, James C. Wonnum (Earnestine) of Upson County, Georgia and Fred Wonnum of Perry, Georgia; a devoted niece/caretaker, Sharon W. Ivey and a host of other loving nephews, nieces, great and great-great nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and extended family who will miss her dearly.

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