Sam Tom Raley, 101, of Carthage, TX passed away Saturday, November 13, 2021 in Shreveport, LA. Sam was born December 5, 1919 in the Fair Play Community of Panola County, TX to the late John Alfred and Opal Inez Harris Raley. Mr. Raley was raised in Panola County and was a graduate of Carthage High School, attended Baylor University and later graduated from the University of Houston. Sam married Carolyn Vick in Amarillo, TX on February 9, 1944 and together they celebrated 60 years until she preceded him in death on August 16, 2004. Mr. Raley served his country in the U.S. Army Air Corp during WWII and attained the rank of Tech Sgt. Sam worked for United Gas Pipeline and retired after 30 plus years. He was a member of Central Baptist Church in Carthage for many years and the Carthage Masonic Lodge #521 A.F. & A.M. for 72 years. Sam is preceded in death by his parents; wife; and sister, Helen Underwood.

Mr. Raley is survived by his son, Gordon Raley and wife Nancy of Alexandria, VA; daughters, Lara Bryan and husband David and Arrie McLaurin and husband John both of Shreveport, LA; grandchildren, Shane Rogers and wife Melissa and their children, Jordan and Mckenzie; Christopher Bryan and wife Andrea and their children, Will and Alexander; Craig Bryan and wife Lori and their children, Connor and Dylan; Courtney Sheaffer and husband Mitch and their son, Sam; Tiffany Fisher and husband Bennett and their son, Brydon; Patrick McLaurin and wife Joy and their son Brendan; Kristen Davis and husband Jeff and their children, Carly and Travis. Several nephews, other relatives and friends also survive Mr. Raley.

Funeral services will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at the Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Charles Dodson and Rev. Steve Jackson officiating. Interment will follow in the Restland Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be prior to the service from 1-2 pm at the funeral home. Mr. Raley's service will be live streamed on the Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Facebook page.

Serving as pallbearers will be Shane Rogers, Christopher Bryan, Craig Bryan, Mitch Sheaffer, Bennett Fisher, Patrick McLaurin, Jeff Davis, Jordan Rogers, Rev. Paul Gwinn and Rev. Greg Kitts. Honorary pallbearers will be Ray Schieffer, Hon. David Anderson, James Browning, Dennis Jordan, Steve Mihlhauser, Dr. Harlan Hall and John Cain.

Mr. Raley's family would like to extend a special "Thank You" to the devoted staff of the Village Health Care at the Glen Retirement Center, LifePath Hospice, the Homebound Ministry of Central Baptist Church, and the VIP Ministry of Broadmoor Baptist Church in Shreveport.

If desired, the family requests donations be made in Mr. Raley's name to the Glen Retirement Center, 403 E. Flournoy Lucas Rd, Shreveport, LA 71115; Central Baptist Church, 220 W. Sabine, Carthage, TX 75633; or Buckner International, Sam and Carolyn Raley Endowment for Children, 700 N. Pearl, Suite 1200, Dallas, TX 75201.