Earl Ray "Bud" Maines
June 14, 1939-February 13, 2026
Bud was born to the late Leota and Ferd Maines in Bluff City, TN. Growing up, Bud loved to
be around his family and friends- especially around a baseball field. He excelled on the
diamond, especially in the catching position. Graduating from Bluff City High School in
1957, he became a star on the field. After high school, he played for many teams including
the Bunker Hill Browns, Milligan College and the Elizabethton Roadrunners which captured
the1971 Champion of National Baseball Congress in Tennessee. He spent many years
developing young ball players in the Elizabethton Little League organization. Bud spent 30
years in the dairy industry starting from door-to-door milk delivery with Pinemont Farms
and advancing to regional manager of Flav-o-Rich making many friends along the way.
Baseball, particularly the Los Angeles Dodgers was "a" love in his life; however, "the"
greatest love of his life was his wife of 66 years, Phyllis Carr Maines who survives him.
Married in 1960, Bud and Phyllis raised their children on farm work, hard work and love.
The man loved to mow his yard. Their home hosted many Sunday dinners, lots of laughs, its
fair share of arguments and a welcoming porch enjoyed by all. Our father loved our mother
well.
Bud is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Rocky and Onanong Maines and their
children; Chaiyos and Sarah Maines of West Virginia and their children, Sydney, Rheanna,
Nate, Josiah and Eliza Rose; Matthias and Ashley Maines of Texas and their children-
Rileigh, Roman and River. Additionally, Bud is survived by his daughter, Jill Maines Roberts,
her husband AJ and their children- Nicholas Wishon and wife Holly, Nolan Wishon and
girlfriend Rachael Haley, Ella Roberts and Branson Roberts. Bud and Phyllis lost their son,
Todd Maines in 2022 and are survived by his daughter, Sierra Maines. Also left to cherish
his memory are his brother, Roy Maines and wife Joyce- sister, Louise Koontz, brothers in
law, Mickey Carr and Jeff Carr and sisters in law, Glennie Maines and Betty Maines. He was
preceded in death by his brothers Charles Maines, James "Doob" Maines, DF "Doc"
Maines and his sister, Berneice Howell, father and mother-in-law- Vestal Carr and Georgia
Carr Scalf. Many cherished nephews, nieces and cousins survive. He is also survived by
lifelong friends that are and will always be family- Terry and Betty Malone, The Persinger
Family, The Troy Rumley Family, The Lawrence Perry Family, The Chris Fleenor Family, The
Kemp Haley Family, The Maines and Carr Families.
Above all and most importantly, Bud's journey to Christ began at Walnut Grove Baptist
Church where he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and as a young man and was
baptized in the river. Through the years he attended Walnut Grove and Chinquapin Grove


Baptist Church. He is a member of Bunker Hill Christian Church where he served as a
former Sunday School Teacher, Trustee, Deacon and Elder. He loved to tease the young
men growing up in the community and often caused them to get into much mischief at
church! We rejoice in knowing our father was saved by grace through Christ Jesus- his
most important testimony.
Family and friends will gather Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 5:00pm at Bunker Hill Christian
Church in Bluff City, TN to present "A Life Remembered through Photographs honoring Bud
Maines." The family invites all family and friends to come together in his memory as we
celebrate and honor a life well lived.
Our father sent this message to his dearest Phyllis:
"I believe my steps are growing wearier each day
Still I've got another journey on my mind
Lures of this old world have ceased to make me want to stay
And my one regret is leaving you behind
But if it proves to be His will that I am first to cross
And somehow, I've a feeling it will be
When it comes your turn to travel likewise don't feel lost
For I will be the first one that you'll see
And I'll be waiting on the far side banks of Jordan
I'll be sitting drawing pictures in the sand
And when I see you coming, I will rise up with a shout
And come running through the shallow water reaching for your hand"-
-Far Banks of the Jordan- Johnny Cash