Emma Deloris Raffety (Varnon)

Emma Deloris “Dee” Raffety, Clarksville, TN, passed away at her home May 10, surrounded by loved ones. She was 85 years old. Emma Dee was born on December 21, 1938, in Harviell, MO, to John Sam and Pauline Blagg Varnon. She was their second child, but, eventually, she was one of five sisters and five brothers born to her parents. 

Dee grew up in Morley, MO, where she excelled both in academics and music at the public school. She had many fond memories of growing up in her big family in that small southeast Missouri town. After graduating from Morley High School, she attended Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, and went on to work in the accounting field in her early career. At the age of 23, she married Joseph Grant Raffety, from Wyatt, MO. They had two children, Julia Teresa and Mary Elizabeth Raffety. In 1989, she earned a BS in Education from Austin Peay State University and taught in the Fort Campbell School system where she was a highly-regarded, popular elementary teacher. She was a member of Kappa Delta Phi sorority and a Catholic in faith. She played the clarinet in her teens and enjoyed writing poetry throughout her life. She was a voracious reader who loved mystery novels and history. She also loved films and music of all genres.

Truly an animal lover, Emma Dee enjoyed the wildlife around her property, often feeding the birds and small rabbits in her yard. She was pleased to donate to several charities throughout the years and, alongside her daughter, Julia, volunteered as an adult literacy teacher for the Clarksville Adult Literacy Council. Emma Dee had a wonderful sense of humor and sweet singing voice. She was very much loved by her daughters, Julia and Mary, her lifelong companion and best friend, Joe Raffety, and by a host of siblings and other relatives and friends.

In addition to her companion and children, she is survived by her sisters: Dr. Sue Stacy, Betty Cruse, Nita Roodman, (all of Cape Girardeau), and Patt Sharp (Kennett, MO); brothers, Dr. Tony Varnon (Cape Girardeau) and Richard Varnon (Germantown, TN); cherished brothers, Stanley Varnon and Mack Varnon, preceded her in death as did her only older brother, John Sam Varnon, Jr., who had died in infancy. She is also survived by sisters- and brothers-in-law: Janet Varnon, Suzanne Varnon, Toby Roodman, Phil and Glenda Raffety, Dan and Verna Raffety, John and Claudia Raffety, Kevin Rowling, Julia Elizabeth Raffety, and Celeste and Charles Moxley. She was preceded in death by others whom she cherished, including brothers-in-laws: Bob Cruse, Stephen Sharp, and Bill Stacy; sister-in law, Glenda Varnon; and nephews: Stephen Cruse, Michael Varnon, and John Varnon.

Emma Dee loved her children, her companion, her family, her friends, her little dogs, music, poetry, and working with children. She will be tremendously missed and so fondly remembered.

Please visit Emma's tribute wall and share a memory with the family.