RUFUS LAMBERS CARRAWAY, JR.

 Rufus Lambers Carraway, Jr., 68, Arcadia, died Wednesday, February 8, 1995, in Arcadia. Born In Bartow, Fla., he was raised in Lee and Collier Counties.
   He was a veteran of WW II, a U.S. Paratrooper serving in the 82nd Airborne and the 101st Division of the Screaming Eagles.
   Rufus was a member of the First Baptist Church of Nocatee, and a former member of Estero Baptist Church for 30 years.
   Surviving are his wife, Wilma Gl-vins Carraway of Arcadia; two sons and their wives: Rufus L. and Delilah of Arcadia, H. Wayne and Debbie of Naples; four daughters: Iris ShelIhorn, Shirley and husband Gary Betz, Hazel Carraway and Barbara Carraway, all of Naples; two aunts: Louise Lantzy and Zellle Cothesn; grandchildren: Richard Shellhorn, David, Chris, Sandy, Eric, Shawn, Jenna, and Jodie Carraway; a sponsored child, Fan Fani of Indonesia; and two great-grandchildren: Justin Shellhorn and Taler Anna Carraway.
   Funeral services will be conducted at graveside Saturday at 1:30 p.m., Pastor Eric Romlck officiating, with additional services conducted by the American Legion Post 336 of North Fort Myers.

[News-Press, Fort Myers, FL, 10 Feb 1995, Fri, Page 17]

[courtesy of Debbie Hartman]

Grave marker for Rufus L. Carraway, Jr., in Calvary Gardens, Fort Myers (Lee county), Florida.

Rufus registered for the draft in Fort Myers, FL on 29 March 1944.  In May he traveled to Camp Blanding for a physical.  The 600 mile rotund-trip was probably accomplished by rail.

45 Draftees Will Go to Blanding
 A group of 45 draftees, made up mostly of pre-Pearl Harbor fathers, will leave next Monday morning for Camp Blanding to stand pre-induction examinations. Only eight of the men are listed as non-fathers. They are Anous Ernest Harrison, Rufus Lambers Carraway ... [News-Press, Fort Myers, FL, 10 May 1944, Wed, Page 1

   Having passed the physical examination, he was inducted into the Army at Fort McPherson, Atlanta, GA on 29 June 1944.

 On 18 October 1945, Pvt Carraway was transferred from the 101st Airborne Division to Company I, 508th PIR.

He was promoted to Pfc on 1 December 1945. Pfc Carraway was discharged on 5 July 1946.

Rufus married Wilma Givens in Lee county, FL on 29 January 1947/