Reverend Hurbert Leon Rayburn

Reverend Hurbert Leon Rayburn, retired Founder and Pastor of the Dexter lake Church of God, Battle Creek, MI







Pastor Rayburn, age 84, died Sunday morning, February 2, 2014, at his residence and surrounded by his loving family.


Pastor Rayburn, the son of James R. and Mabel F. (Logan) Rayburn, was born on October 8, 1929 in Florence, AL and moved to this area in 1948. He served his country honorably and nobly during World War II as a Private in the United States Army. Pastor Rayburn became an Ordained Minister in 1972 and was associated with the Church of God, Cleveland, TN. He retired in September of 1992 from pastoring. Pastor Rayburn loved visitation at hospitals, their homes or with the jail ministry.

Pastor Rayburn was united in marriage to the former Marieda B. Smith on April 30, 1949 in Battle Creek and she preceded him in death on September 16, 2004. On April 23, 2005 in Battle Creek, he was married to the former Marilyn Lavender and she survives. Also surviving are his children, Landell (Sheila) Rayburn of Athens, MI, Lavanda (Dennis) Hyatt of Eaton Rapids, MI, Merryell (John) Burbach of New Orleans, LA, Denice (Windle) Davis of Watervliet, MI, Leah (Jim) Dixon of Battle Creek and Eulis (Jan) Rayburn of Austin, TX; 20 grandchildren; 38 great grandchildren; his step-children, Lane (Linda) Lavender of CT and Laura (Spruce) Kimbal of Atlanta, GA; his sister, Joy (JC) Crank of Battle Creek and his brother, Rev. Billy (Joyce) Rayburn of Cleveland, TN. Pastor Rayburn was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Arlan Rayburn in 1968 and a brother, Oneil Rayburn.

The Funeral Service to celebrate Pastor Rayburn's life will be held on Saturday, February 8th at 11:00 a.m. at the Dexter Lake Church of God, 1555 E. Michigan Avenue, Battle Creek, 49014 with the Rev. Blaine Faircloth and Rev. Windle Davis , co-officiating. Military honors will be bestowed by the United States Army Honor Guard at the Church. Family and friends will continue to celebrate Pastor Rayburn's life with a time of fellowship and luncheon immediately following the service in the Church Fellowship Hall. Interment will be held later in Hicks Cemetery, Pennfield Township. Friends will be received on Friday, February 7th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, Battle Creek and on Saturday one hour prior to the service at the Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Pastor Rayburn's honor may be directed to the Dexter Lake Church of God.