L Curry Raley, age 74, passed away Sunday evening, April 17, 2011 in Stuart, FL surrounded by his loving family. He was born on February 15, 1937 in Bonifay, FL. He was the eleventh of twelve children born to the late Reverend Eli L and Ila Raley, who preached the circuit in the panhandle of North Florida. He was of the Baptist Faith. Curry began working as an ambulance and removal driver for Blackmon Funeral Home in Bonifay when he was fourteen. When he was nineteen he began working at Wilson Funeral Home in Panama City. In 1958, he graduated from Gupton Jones Institute for Mortuary Science with honors. After graduation he worked for Summerhill Funeral Home in Deland, Lumus Funeral Home in Winter Garden, and Lairs Funeral Home in Zephyrhills. In March, 1964 he moved his family to Wauchula to start his service to the people of Hardee County under the direction of Bryant L. Coker. In 1972, he and Mr. Coker formed the partnership of Coker-Raley Funeral Home. In 1976, he became sole owner and changed the name to Curry Raley Funeral Home and continued to provide services to the families in Hardee County of which he loved until 1995 when he and his loving wife, Karen retired to Stuart. Curry loved to play the piano and sing with his family. He enjoyed fishing with his grandchildren on Lake Karen, reading a good book, working crossword puzzles and playing golf. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge #17, Order of Eastern Star # 42, BPOE Lodge of Wauchula and Kiwanis Club of Wauchula. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Karen A. Raley of Stuart, FL; five daughters; Renee R. Gill of Burney, CA, Ralene (H.E. Binky Graham, Jr. of Wauchula, FL., Michele L. McCandless of Wauchula, FL, Diane L. (Derren) Bryan of Bowling Green, FL., and Beth (Ed) Fredere of Lithia, FL; two sons Lee Curry Raley of Modesto, CA and Edward K. Labud of Punta Gorda, FL.; one brother Ernest (Larell) Raley of Marianna, FL.; ten grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held Wednesday, April 20, 2011 from 6:00PM until 8:00PM at the chapel of Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home, 404 W. Palmetto St., Wauchula. Funeral services will be on Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 10:30 AM at the chapel with Marcus Shackelford and Rev. Chris Bishop officiating. Burial will follow at New Hope Cemetery in Wauchula. Online condolences can be made at pongerkaysgrady.com. Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.