Laura Lee (Swearingen) Raines

Laura Lee (Swearingen) Raines, 87, of Prairie City, died April 28 at Oregon Health Science University in Portland. Services were held May 3 at Prairie Baptist Church in Prairie City with Pastor David Hoeffner officiating.

Raines was born Dec. 18, 1928, in Winchester, Idaho, to Matis and Mary Swearingen. When she was 3 years old, the family moved to Prairie City, where she grew up and graduated from Prairie City School High School.

On Sept. 20, 1947, she married James “Tobe” Raines at the family ranch up Dixie Creek, with whom she had three daughters.

Throughout her married life, she moved around the Northwest, following her husband as he logged, worked construction an was a heavy equipment mechanic. She always made each new place “home.”

Music brought her great joy and she played the piano and accordion by ear. She loved the family “jam” sessions when they got together. She enjoyed drawing, and a few years ago, joined a painting class which she loved attending each week.

She was a member of American Legion Auxiliary No. 106 and Prairie Baptist Church.

Survivors include her daughters, Diane (Mike) Powell of Pocatello, Idaho, Charlotte (Rob) McCumber of Mt. Vernon and Lenora (Randy) Saul of Prairie City; a sister, Dorrine May; 14 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband; brother, Wayne Swearingen; and sisters, Kathryn Miller and Viva Salter.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.