Raymond Douglas Conyers

Raymond Douglas Conyers (78), of Hampton, VA, finished his earthly race at 3:00am, September 18th, 2024. Those who knew him and loved him called him “Douglas, Doug, Dad, Paw-Paw, and Pap-pap.” He was born April 15th, 1946 in Tar Heel, NC, to William Leslie Conyers (father) and Sadie Leigh Edwards Conyers (mother) who both passed on while he was still a very young man. He is also preceded in death by his sister Sylvia Spears. Doug leaves behind an older sister, Peggy Hinchey; older brother, Wayne Conyers; and younger brother Ron Conyers.

Also sending him ahead to glory are his beloved wife of 49 years, Melinda (Lin) Elaine Conyers; his eldest son, David, and his wife and twin sons: Carla, Joel, and Jude; and his youngest son, Daniel and his four children: Anna, Mary, Michael, and Bella. Doug and Lin met at church, (he was her young adult Sunday School teacher) and they were married, June 24th, 1975.

Dad was a diligent worker and a great example of initiative. He finally retired January 1st, 2020 after working 55 years in the reproduction department at the Newport News Shipyard, and a 3.5-year term of service for the U.S. Air Force in the 60’s. Retirement for dad meant much deserved naps, mowing his grass, digging in his flower garden, tapping his coloring pages app, playing Skip-Bo every Thursday/Friday night with friends, and working in the church’s scripture assembly room. Even though dad hated to spend money, he still spoiled mom, even up to the very end.

Dad was a faithful founding member at Maranatha Baptist Church in Yorktown, VA. He loved his church family and his Pastors over the 49 years of his attendance. Throughout his many years there, he was humbled to be able to serve as: a trustee, a Sunday school teacher, a deacon, a bulletin writer, a Sunday School Superintendent, a kids club teacher, a choir member (he definitely tried to make a joyful noise), a choir clerk, and a missions flag poster. The annual Maranatha Missions conference was one of his favorite times of the year and he instilled that same love for missionaries into his family.

Dad, though we are currently without you, we recognize that you are not lost because we know exactly where you are; and we look forward for the day that we see you again.

A celebration of life, graveside service with military honors for Raymond will be held Monday, September 23, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Hampton Memorial Gardens, 155 Butler Farm Road, Hampton, Virginia 23666.