RAYMOND HAGGINS

Raymond, the second son, born to Raymond Haggins and Leegrain Smelley Haggins on Sunday September, 5, 1929 in Piper-Coleanor, Alabama.  He committed his life to Christ at an early age under the leadership of Pastor Neal Stoudermire and rededicated his life to Christ under the leadership of the late G.C. Massey and was ordained a Deacon in 1963.

He began his education at Shelby County Training School and graduated from Brighton High School.  He also attended the Tennessee School of Religion – Montevallo extension and the Eastonia Baptist Bible College to obtain his religious education and Theology Degree.  After graduation from Brighton High School, he began his career in baseball in 1949 with the Nashville Cubs (Negro League).  In 1951, his baseball career was put on hold when he was drafted into the United States Army.  After being Honorably Discharged, he resumed his baseball career with the Birmingham Black Barons, and from there with the Memphis Red Sox until 1958.

After his career in baseball over, he was employed at Abex (ABC Rail) and retired after 39 years of service.  He was then employed by the Shelby County Board of Education as a bus driver for 13 years, and was also a member of Stone Mountain Lodge #187.

He was united in Holy Matrimony to the late Eunice Young Haggins for 63 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Leegrain; a brother, Willie; sister, Gloria Seaborn; and twin daughters, Gwendolyn and Wendolyn.

He completed his journey on earth on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 in Montgomery, Alabama.