Buddy Rakestraw, 81

May 3, 1944  –  April 29, 2026

Curtis Wayne “Buddy” Rakestraw, passed away peacefully at his home on April 29, 2026. He was born on May 3, 1944, to the late William Curtis “Jack” Rakestraw and the late Lou Jean Rakestraw of the Liberty Community.

Buddy took great pride in being a devoted husband to Wanda Hill Rakestraw. For 63 years, they built a life filled with love, laughter, strength, and unwavering kindness through every season they faced together. He accepted Jesus as his personal Savior at an early age and was a member of New Harmony Baptist Church.

Buddy was a hardworking man who took pride in his career as a business owner. Alongside his wife, Wanda, he owned and operated B & W Upholstery in Oxford, Mississippi, for over 25 years. However, his greatest joy in life came from the titles he cherished most—“Dad,” “Pappaw,” “Paps,” and “Pappaw Buddy.”

He loved the outdoors, listening to good music, and rarely missed an opportunity to dance to whatever tune was playing. He enjoyed watching his beloved Ole Miss Rebels compete in any sporting event and, when the weather was just right, casting a line into the Tennessee River to see what he might catch.

Buddy is survived by his loving wife, Wanda Hill Rakestraw; his five children, Lisa Garrison (David), Sandra Medlin, Pam Cook (Billy), Michael Rakestraw (Lisa), and Shane Rakestraw (Melonie); his twelve grandchildren, Heather Sanders (Adam), Tori Harrington (Ben), Abby Garrison, Kagan Garrison (Lauren), Rebecca Wilkerson (Cole), Christopher Palmer (Ashley), Adam Palmer (Brandie), Addison Carter, Jennifer Watson, Taylor Willis (Cory), Chloe Rakestraw, and Brady Rakestraw; and his seven great-grandchildren, Hillman Harrington, Isaiah Sheffield, Emma Sheffield, Connor Sheffield, Camden Palmer, Cooper Watson, and Emmi Watson. He is also survived by his siblings, Betty Roberts, Kathryn Rakestraw, and Homer Rakestraw.

A service to honor Buddy’s life will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Center Baptist Church in Blue Springs, Mississippi, with Bro. Jared Busby and Bro. Cory Willis officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Christopher Palmer, Adam Palmer, Kagan Garrison, Brady Rakestraw, Cooper Watson, and William Paul Rakestraw. Honorary pallbearers will be Isaiah Sheffield, Camden Palmer, Connor Sheffield, Hillman Harrington, and Wes Rakestraw.

Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.

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