Bobby E. "Curly" "Bae" Rakestraw

Bobby E.  "Curly", "Bae" Rakestraw , age 85 of Monrovia, MD passed away at Johns Hopkins Hospital on Sunday, March 21,2021.  Born in Slaughters, Kentucky on March 15,1936. He was son of the late Marvin A. and Helen E. (Woods) Rakestraw.
He was the loving husband of Donna (Hammers) Rakestraw,  his wife of 55 years.

Bobby graduated from Slaugters High School in 1954, received a Bachelor of Science from Western Kentucky State College in Bowling Green, ,Kentucky in 1959 .  He was also an Army Veteran serving from October 1959 to February of 1962.  In 1962 he was employed by the USDA -Soil Conservation Service  until his retirement as a SCS/NRCS RAMP National Program Manager.

Bobby was a  life time member of  the New Market Lions Club for almost 50 years and was most recently the Secretary for many years, but held every office except for the treasurer in the club   He was a Melvin Jones-recipient and has received many awards through the years.   One of his favorite activities was organizing the clubs Basket Bingo fundraiser.  He was also the chairman of the Frederick County Soil Conservation District, a member of the Frederick County Farm Bureau, and a member of the Providence United Methodist Church in Kemptown, Maryland.

Bobby enjoyed restoring tractors and was a member of  the Mid Atlantic Alis Chambler Tractor Club as well as the MDIHCC Tractor Club.  He loved visiting family and spending time on the farm he grew up on in Kentucky.

In addition to his wife, Donna he is survived by his daughter, Wendy (Rakestraw ) Wilson of Frederick, MD and son, David Rakestraw of Pembroke Pines, FL. He especially enjoyed spending time with his beloved grandchildren, Craig Wilson, Jason Wilson, Rachel Wilson and Emily Wilson; siblings, Eugene "Big Boy" Rakestraw (life companion Elizabeth Raymond), Dorothy "Sissy" Hale, Merle Rakestraw, Jerry Rakestraw, and Reva McConnell (Paul); nieces and nephews, Kathy Hale, Barry Hale, Tommy Hale, Robin Woodruff, Rhonda Gordon, Frankie Collins, Denise Baxter, Kimberly Evans, and Jon McConnell  and several great nieces and nephews.

Bobby was preceded in death by three siblings, Christne (Rakestraw) Hill, Donald Rakestraw ,and Joyce (Rakestraw) Collins, brother-in-laws, Edward Hill, Wayne Hale and Francis Collins; sister-in-law, Brenda Rakestraw and his beloved dog Barney.

The family will receive friends from 1-3 pm or  5-8 pm on Monday, March 29,2021 at Stauffer Funeral Homes 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, Maryland 21702.

Services will be held March 30, 2021 at  Stauffer Funeral Home at 1:00 pm. Graveside service to follow at Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Frederick Maryland.

Due to the Maryland State Covid-19 Mandate,  masks are required and please practice social distancing.

In Lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the New Market Lions Club Foundation, 13001 Purdum Court Mt Airy, MD 21771 or Providence United Methodist Church  3716 Kemptown Church Road Kempton, MD 21770.