Anderson Co. Soldier’s Body Returns to Upstate

The remains of Staff Sgt. Raphael A. Futrell were returned to the Upstate Thursday morning. He died in Iraq on March 25 according to the Department of Defense.

Futrell’s remains arrived at Anderson County Airport before his funeral Saturday at New Holly Light Missionary Baptist Church in Sandy Springs. The service is scheduled to start at 11:00am.

He will be buried at 2:00pm Saturday.

The U.S. Military says Staff Sgt. Futrell, 26, died in Baghdad from injuries he sustained from a non-combat related incident.

“Sometimes I feel numb, but I just try to think about other things and I look at his pictures,“ said his mother, Vicki Futrell to News Channel 7 on March 25. “I still can’t believe it. I just want him to walk through the door. I just want him to say, Mom, I’m OK.“

Futrell’s mother says Raphael wanted to serve his country ever since he was a young boy. He was inspired by his older brother - a captain - and his grandfather, a retired lieutenant colonel, who served in World War II on Omaha Beach.

Staff Sgt. Raphael A. Futrell was a 2001 graduate of Pendleton High School.

News Channel 7’s Carmen Coursey spoke to those waiting at the Anderson Airport to honor Futrell’s life of service. Click on the video link to hear more from them.