Denise Pittman Raines, 66, of Ellerbe, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025 at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital-Richmond after battling many years with her illness.
Denise was born on Nov. 27, 1958 in Cabarrus County to the late Boyd Franklin and Mary Lucille Brock Pittman.
She was a member of Ellerbe Fellowship Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school for many years.
Throughout her live, she enriched the minds of many children while teaching at Ellerbe Middle School and Rockingham Middle. She was a diligent worker for 18 years at Ellerbe Springs Hotel. In her later days, Denise decided to open her very own diner known as Denise’s Diner in Ellerbe, where she saw many of the patrons she taught as well as knew in the community.
Along with her parents, Denise is preceded in death by brother Tommy Helms and sisters Barbara Lloyd and Irene Nichols.
She is survived by her husband, Jacky Raines; daughter Starr Raines (Bill Stewart); brothers Billy Joe Helms, Boyd F. “Frankie” Pittman Jr. and Larry W. Pittman. Although she has left them, their memories of her will always remain in their hearts.
Funeral services for Denise will be held at Carter Funeral Home Ellerbe Chapel on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025 at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Ricky Hughes officiating. Interment will be held at Ellerbe Cemetery following the service.
Family will receive friends from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025 at Carter Funeral Home in Ellerbe.
Carter Funeral Home of Ellerbe is assisting the Raines family during this tough time.
Online condolences can be made at carter funeral.net.
