Eva Marie Rakestraw, 72, of Manila, died Saturday, July 15, 2006, at her home. Born at Manila, she was the daughter of the late Leonard Paul and Mattie Phillips and had lived most of her life in the Blackwater Community near Manila. She was a retired telephone operator for Southwestern Bell.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Tammy Despain, and a son, Randy Rakestraw.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Ron and Kim Rakestraw of Lake City; a son-in-law, Tom Despain, of Manila; a brother, Paul Phillips of Tennessee; a sister, Fannie Powell of Tennessee; and two grandchildren, Devon and Payton Brady.

The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Howard Funeral Service Chapel in Manila with Rev. Larry Ward officiating. Burial will follow in Manila Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. To sign the online guest register log on to www.howardfuneralservice.com.