On Monday, May 5, 2025, Ava Lynne Raines, 75, of Lynchburg, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Born December 29, 1949, she was a daughter of the late Carl Franklin Raines Sr. and Shirley Gordon Raines.
Ava was most successful in her roles and marketing throughout her career, and was a lifetime member of Jonesboro Baptist Church. She always had a smile and loved everyone. She never knew a stranger. Ava will always be remembered for her deep faith in God whom she said took her through many tragedies in her life. She enjoyed rescuing dogs, cats and all animals, and would give them her home if she couldn’t find them a suitable home.
She is survived by her daughter, JoHanna Francisco Langford (Chris); two grandsons, Johnathan and Caleb Langford, and two brothers, Carl Raines Jr. and Warren Raines (Sharon).
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her former husband, Herbert M. Francisco. Ava lost her parents, two sisters, Johanna Raines and Ginger Raines, and a brother, Walker Saunders Raines, in Hurricane Camille on August 20, 1969.
A Celebration of Life will be held 2 p.m. Friday, May 23, 2025 at Byrum-Parr Funeral Home by Pastor Wayne Underwood. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, Ava requested that memorial contributions be made to the Lynchburg Humane Society, Development Department 1211 Old Graves Mill Road, Lynchburg, VA 24502, or a local animal shelter. One of Ava’s greatest loves was homeless and helpless animals.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ava Lynne Raines, please visit our flower store.