Robert Walter Raley, 82, of Dameron, MD, passed away on March 18, 2009 at St. Mary's Nursing Center, Leonardtown, MD.

Born August 11, 1926 in Dameron, MD, he was the son of the late William C. and Nettie Marie Raley.

Mr. Raley graduated from St. Michael's school in 1944. He owned and drove non public school buses for close to 50 years. He drove for St. Michael's, Little Flower, St. Mary's Ryken and Leonard Hall schools.

Robert enjoyed driving the bus for so many children in the area, driving them on field trips and rewarding them for their good behavior. A large part of his life was his farming of the "Home Place" in Dameron with his Farmall tractors. He loved the Washington Redskins and the Baltimore Orioles, and he was a member of the Farm Bureau and St. Michael's Catholic Church. He will always be remembered for his dedication to selling chances for the "Big Bucks", getting donations for the St. Michael's School Auction, and selling candy bars for the school. Robert thought the world of his grand boys.

Robert is survived by his daughter, Carol Marie Cusick Lowmiller of California, MD, grandchildren; Kris and David Cusick and Robert "Dylan" Lowmiller, siblings; William Ross, J. Francis Raley, (Patsy) and Audrey Norton all of Ridge, MD, sister and brothers-in law; sister Mary Rita Cullison, Jack Cullison, (Frances Ann), Joe Pat Cullison, (Dorothy Ann) and Mary Ann Cullison Rymer

In addition to his parents, Mr. Raley was preceded in death by his wife Anita "Betty" Cullison Raley and sisters; Dorothy Mae Raley and Margurite Stone, brother-in-law, Eddie Ray Cullison and sisters-in-law, Sister Marie Francis Cullison and Carolyn Clarke.

Family will receive friends for Robert's Life Celebration on Sunday, March 22, 2009 from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. in St. Michael's Catholic Church, Ridge, MD where prayers will be recited at 4:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, March 23, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. with Monsignor Maurice O'Connell officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers will be; Raymond, Keith, Bruce and Dan Raley, Clint Yost and Wade Cullison.
Honorary pallbearers will be; Donald Stone, Sr., Don Stone, Tom Trossbach, Larry Norton, Joe Greer and Jack Cullison.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Mary's, Inc., P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD, the Monsignor John Peacock Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 429, Ridge, MD 20680, or the Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad., P.O. Box 456, Ridge, MD 20680.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.