Raymond "Ray" Donald Christopher

Born on July 25, 1947, to Raymond and Narvell Christopher, Ray’s journey of love and service began in his early years in Toledo, Ohio. It was there, in 1965 at Woodward High School, that he met the love of his life, Mary Ann Taylor. They married on December 23, 1967, a union that would become the foundation of a remarkable life of shared mission and purpose.

Ray and Mary moved to Abilene, Texas, in 1973, where he pursued higher education at Abilene Christian University while working in the tech field and worshiping at North 10th and Treadaway Church of Christ. It was here that Ray’s passion for ministry and missions flourished while forging a lifelong bond with Daryl and Linda Boothe.

In 1975, at the age of 27, Ray took on the role of minister at North 10th and Treadaway Church of Christ. Over the following years, his ministry led him to serve various congregations, including Hamilton Park Church of Christ (Dallas, TX), Marsalis Avenue Church of Christ (Dallas, TX), Mansfield Church of Christ (Mansfield, TX), Glass City Church of Christ (Toledo, OH), and Bowling Green Church of Christ (Bowling Green, OH).

Ray embarked on a new chapter in 1987, joining the Dallas Fire Department as its first 40-year-old recruit. Shortly after, he became a deacon at Greenville Avenue Church of Christ (GACC), where Ray’s vision for community-building led him to become the founder of Care Groups, fostering deeper relationships among church members.

Appointed an elder at GACC in 1995, Ray’s passion for global outreach inspired him to establish the church’s missions ministry in 1997. His work touched countless lives as he led mission efforts across the globe, including: Brazil, the Bahamas, Guyana, Haiti, Ghana, Cameroon, Uganda, Liberia, and Kenya. Ray's profound impact and servant leadership moved the people and he was named "Nana Kwasi Amo", a chief over a district in Ghana.

In 2006, Ray and Mary co-founded Humanitarian Hands Charities, combining their deep faith with a mission to improve lives worldwide. He became the full-time Worldwide Missions Coordinator at GACC, dedicating his life to bringing hope, resources, and the Gospel to communities far and wide.

Ray leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, and service. He is survived by his devoted wife of 57 years, Mary Christopher; their children, Laticia Seay (Ernie), Damar Christopher (Kendra), Camille Wilson (Kevin), Jason Christopher (Chara), and Wade Lee (son/nephew). He was preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Narvelle Christopher, and his sisters Pamela Nickerson and Cynthia Christopher. He leaves to celebrate his memory his siblings: Sandra Christopher, Paula Kelly, Raelene Williams, 12 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and a host of family, friends, and countless individuals whose lives were touched by him.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Greenville Avenue Church of Christ in Richardson, TX. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Humanitarian Hands Charities (www.hhcharities.org), continuing Ray’s vision of compassion and outreach.