Raphael Matthew Foy, 72, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, July 17, 2026 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Raphael was the son of the late Vera Foy Dobbins. He was a native of Polk County and spent many years serving the community as a law enforcement officer. Raphael was the first person from Polk County to complete his Basic Certification for Law Enforcement at the NC Justice Academy in Salemburg, NC in the spring of 1979. During his career, he went on to earn his Advanced Law Enforcement Certification, achieving Master Deputy Status and was recognized with the Advanced Service Award. Raphael worked for the Tryon Police Department until 1986, then transferred to the Polk County Seriff Department and worked up until his retirement in 2013.

Raphael loved spreading the word of Jesus. One of his hobbies included making little wooden crosses, with the wording “God Loves You” and “Amazing Grace” etched on them. Raphael spent time handing them out to people in hospitals and cancer centers. He wanted to show people there was hope and to try to help them forget for a moment about the painful situation they were in. He made over 30,000 as a way to “plant the seed”, encouraging others to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Raphael also enjoyed fishing, over the years he shared many fishing trips with his friends. As much as he loved catching fish, he enjoyed the company of his friends more. He attended Emanuel Baptist Church in Columbus, NC.

While our hearts are heavy today, we Rejoyce knowing he is no longer suffering and that he has heard the words every faithful servant longs to hear, “Well Done”.

Surviving is his wife of 42 years, Patricia Green Foy; a nephew, Dylan Green; a brother, Darrell Foy (Bennie); family by love, Jeff Jones, Mary Jones, Kristen Jones, Justin Jones (Courtney), Harlan Jones, Betty Jones, and Barbara Black.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at McFarland Funeral Chapel in Tryon, NC officiated by Reverend Biran Wilson and Reverend Eddie Duncan.

The family will receive friends prior to the service from 11:30 am to 12:45 p.m.

Burial will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens in Columbus, NC.