Alvis "Al" Eugene Rackley

Alvis "Al" E. Rackley of Raleigh, NC embarked on his one-way journey to his eternal heavenly destination on January 4, 2025 at the age of 97.

Alvis was preceded in death by his loving wife of 58 years Carolyn Ellington Rackley; parents, Ruth Ellen New Rackley and Charlie H. Rackley; siblings, Irvin Rackley, Frances Corbett, Hayden Rackley, Dennis Rackley, Esther Thompson, and Russell Rackley.

Surviving is his son, Alvis E. "Gene" Rackley Jr. (Lynne) of Greenville, NC; daughter, Barbara Rackley of Raleigh, NC; and two grandchildren, Joseph N. Matthews, Jr. (Meg) of Raleigh, NC, and Sabrina St. Pierre (Kevin) of Myrtle Beach, SC. He is also survived by siblings: Wade Rackley of Charlotte, NC, Elise Grimmer of Charlotte, NC, Michael Rackley of Galax, VA, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Alvis grew up in Pender County, NC. He attended NC State University School of Architecture in Raleigh, NC and served in the US Coast Guard at the end of World War II. In Raleigh he was active in civic clubs, served as a little league coach and was part of developing a baseball field in West Raleigh, and served on the Wake County School Board. Alvis owned a general construction company in Raleigh, NC constructing many buildings in the area including an addition at Forest Hills Baptist Church and the WRAL television studio. Alvis relocated to Richmond, VA enjoying a large farm in Rockville, VA, did extensive genealogy research, and spent many years restoring rural family cemeteries. He also studied Civil War history and toured many of the historical sites and became a ballroom dancing instructor. Alvis continued his career in Richmond, VA as Senior Estimating Engineer at Fluor Daniel International and was involved in many projects including the Federal Reserve Bank, Diamond Baseball Stadium, Philip Morris, and Nabisco in Richmond, VA and the Norfolk Scope and Harrison Opry House in Norfolk, VA. Alvis then formed an Engineering Cost Consultant business providing services on many projects throughout the southeast that included many buildings at the University of Virginia and the Virginia State Library.

A celebration of Alvis' life will be held Monday, January 13, 2025, at Aversboro Road Baptist Church, Garner, NC. Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. followed by the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. A private family burial will follow in Montlawn Cemetery, Raleigh, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:

Aversboro Road Baptist Church Connecting Generations Building Fund

1600 Aversboro Road

Garner, NC 27529

Or

Our Family Cemetery Association Perpetual Care

1524 Neptune Way

Bowling Green, KY 42104

The family expresses sincere gratitude to Transitions LifeCare and Synergy HomeCare for providing additional compassionate care for their father.

Funeral arrangements are by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home of Garner. Online condolences may be made at bryan-leefuneralhome.com