George W. Racette

COMO, N.C.—George William Racette, 86, passed away Friday, October 12, 2012, at Southampton Memorial Hospital, Franklin, Va.

Mr. Racette was a native of Ludlow, MA, a son of the late William and Edith Roberts Racette, and was predeceased by a grandson, Christopher Racette, and two brothers, Lawrence and Raymond Racette.

He was a retired power plant control man at St. Julian’s Creek plant in Portsmouth, Va., and was a Navy veteran of Word War II.

He was a former member and deacon at Buckhorn Baptist Church in Como and was presently a member of Franklin Baptist Church.

He was one of the founders of the “Over the Hill Fun Bunch” that entertained many shut-ins and nursing home residents with their music in the area for two decades.

Along with his wife Frances, and three other couples, they helped form the Peanut Promenaders at the Franklin YMCA. For his outstanding community service, George was awarded “The Builder’s Award” from the Virginia Masons.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Frances E. Racette; two daughters, Linda R. Etheridge and husband, Walt, of Carrollton, Va., and Cathleen R. Whitley and husband, George, of Como, N.C.; two sons, George Roland Racette of Chesapeake, Va., and William Alan Racette and wife, Jeanette, of Como, N.C; two brothers, Leonard H. Racette of Asheville, N.C., and Wilbur C. “Bill” Racette and wife, Linda, of Spokane, Wash.; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, October 15, 2012, at Wright Funeral Home, 206 W. 4th Ave., Franklin, Va., with the Rev. Brent Kimlick officiating. Burial, with military honors, followed at Buckhorn Baptist Church Cemetery, Como, N.C.

The family received friends Sunday from 7-8:30 p.m. at the funeral home and after the service at the home of Cathleen and George Whitley, 645 New Hope Church Road, Como.

Memorials may be made to Franklin Baptist Church, or the American Cancer Society. www.wrightfuneralhome.org.