Bobby Carroll Rains

Bobby Carroll Rains, 78, passed away peacefully  at home and went to be with his Heavenly Father  on Thursday, September 28, 2023.  He was surrounded by family & friends after a long & courageous battle with cancer.  A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, October 2, 2023 at 11:00 am at Coats Baptist Church in Coats, NC. The family will receive family & friends prior to the service from 10:00 am to 10:45 am, & at other times at the family home. Officiating will be Pastors Neal Thornton and Jimmy Newkirk. Burial will follow in Lakeside Memorial Gardens in Angier, NC.

Bob was born January 18, 1945.  Following graduation from Kenly High School, he joined the Air Force in 1966. While in the military, he served 3 different tours in Vietnam.  He was awarded 3 Purple Hearts, 2 Bronze Stars, 1 Silver Star, and a Congressional Medal of Honor.   He spent most of his career with the auto parts industry, getting his start working with his father at Rains Auto Parts in Kenly.  He retired in 2007 as a sales representative for Carquest.

In 1980, Bob met the love of his life, Connie, with whom he was married to for 43 years.  He enjoyed world traveling with Connie, as well as woodworking, fishing, repairing things, sports, entertaining people with his life stories, and his dog, Chico.  His oncologist referred to him as a “Tough ole bird”, which became his nickname as a result of his battle with cancer.

He is survived by his wife, Connie; daughter, Amy (Denise) of Lillington;  grandson, Adam (Ashley) of Wilmington, NC; sisters, Marcia (Tommy) of Kenly, NC and Teresa (Poogie), of Pine Level, NC; as well as nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, JT and Mildred Rains, and his brother, Johnny Rains.

A special thank you to Liberty HomeCare & Hospice Services, and especially, Kelly Whittenton,  his niece who was also his Hospice nurse,  who went above and beyond taking care of her Uncle Bob. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Coats Baptist Church at P.O. Box 297 Coats, NC 27521 , the American Cancer Society at P.O. Box 6704 Hagerstown, MD 21741 , or a charity of choice. 

Arrangements by Rose and Graham Funeral Home in Coats.