Ras Lavaughn (R. L.) Caves

Ras Lavaughn (R. L.) Caves, 85, of Laurel died Sunday, October 7, 2012, at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg. He was a member and deacon of Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church in Bay Springs. He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the U. S. S. Blue Ridge during World War II. He was graduated from Mississippi State University with B.S., M.S., and Educational Specialist degrees in Agricultural Education. Mr. Caves was a life-long supporter of education. His teaching career spanned thirty-five years; he taught Vocational Agriculture at high schools in Jones and Marion Counties for seven years. He was retired from Jones County Junior College after twenty-eight years, where he served as an instructor and as Chair of the Agriculture Department. He also served for eight years as County Agent with the Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service in Jefferson Davis County. He was a long-time instructor of disabled veterans for the U. S. Veterans Administration. He was elected to the Jones County Board of Education where he served for twelve years. Mr. Caves was preceded in death by his parents Berry and Maebelle Busby Caves and his brother James H. Caves. He is survived by his loving wife of sixty years Hilda Sims Caves of Laurel; three sons, Kenny Caves and wife Debbie of Laurel, Glenn Caves and wife Lisa of Laurel, and Paul Caves and wife Tina of Petal; six grandchildren, Whitney (Brad) Clark, Will (Whitney) Caves, Ashton Caves, Drew Caves, Megan Caves, and Erik Caves; two brothers, Leonard (Frances) Caves of Hattiesburg and Roy D. (Ann) Caves of Madison; one sister, Sherry Kostka of Columbus; and one sister-in-law, Eva Caves of Bay Springs. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 9, 2012, at Memory Chapel in Laurel with burial to follow in Mill Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday, October 8, 2012, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Memory Chapel. Elders Josh King and Mark Quarrels will officiate. Pallbearers will be Will Caves, Drew Caves, Erik Caves, Terry Caves, Brad Clark and Jay Sims. Honorary pallbearers will be Richard Sims, Dale Caves, and deacons of Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church. Memory Chapel of Laurel is in charge of services.

Ras Lavaughn (R. L.) Caves

March 11, 1927 - October 7, 2012