Obituary

Samuel Merwin Raborn

January 28, 1954 - April 24, 2024

Samuel Merwin Raborn of Kentwood, Louisiana passed away on April 24, 2024. Sam (“Dunk” and “Country” to his family and friends) was born in Osyka, Mississippi on January 28, 1954, the youngest of 12 children born to his parents, Margaret Jones Raborn and Loid Noel Raborn. 

Sam graduated from Kentwood High School in 1972 and played on the 1969 state championship football team. Although he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force soon after graduation and lived away from Kentwood for several years, Sam stayed connected to many of his high school friends, especially his lifelong best friend, “Big D”.

Sam married the love of his life, Connie Lee Madden Raborn, on April 26, 1975, in Tucson, Arizona.  He served his country for 20 years before returning to his beloved home. He and Connie raised three daughters, 10 grandkids, one great-grandson, and many dogs, chickens, cows, and other farm animals. Sam was loved by everyone who knew him. He easily made others laugh with his mischievous personality. 

Sam was a lifelong fan of the LSU Tigers and the New Orleans Saints, even during the tough years. Most fall weekends he could be found at LSU, tailgating with friends and family and cheering on his beloved Tigers. He refused to leave a game early, regardless of the weather or the score. On Sundays, Sam would get back for church at First Baptist Church of Arcola before rushing home to cheer on his Saints. During the week he could usually be found at the sale barn, riding his tractor, or feeding his cows.

Sam was met at the gates by his beloved wife, Connie, his mom and dad, and multiple brothers and sisters – Loid Noel Raborn, Jr., Katie Sue Raborn Nunnery, Edward Leroy Raborn, Estha Leigh Raborn Lail, Billie Jean Raborn Mitchell, and Linda Dianne Raborn Bennett.

Left to cherish his memory are his beloved daughters, Margaret Elizabeth Raborn Andrews (Eric); Angela Darlene Raborn Stone (Rob); and Renee Sandra Raborn Molland (Quincy); his grandchildren, Dusty, Dakota, Ethan, Erica, Luke, Ella Rose, Samantha, Addison, Colleen, and Parker; his great-grandson, Jaxon Lane Stokes; his sisters, Margaret Christine Raborn Krchov, Mary Nell Raborn Jackson, and Bettie Lu Raborn Jannise; brothers, James Loid Raborn and Willie Briggans Raborn, Sr.; many nieces and nephews; his life-long best friend, Dennis Price; and many, many more friends and family.

The family will receive friends on Monday, April 29, 2024, from 6-8 pm and on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, from 10 am-12 pm at First Baptist Church of Arcola.  The funeral service will take place on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at 12:00 pm at First Baptist Church of Arcola.  Internment will take place in Osyka Cemetery, Osyka, MS.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Metavivor, Metastatic Breast Cancer Research, Support, and Awareness Organization, in memory of his cherished wife, Connie.