He was born August 28, 1923, in Taylorsville and was the son of the late Ralph George and Beulah Mae Vickers Lail. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Marine Corp in the Pacific Theatre, and was a member of the American Legion in Troutman. He was a retired Vice-President of S & S Trucking Company and participated in the Dixie Classic Fair in Raleigh for many years. He was a faithful and active member of Troutman Baptist Church where he taught Sunday school for 53+ years, was known as the “candy man,” and was active in their ministry to the shut-ins.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Nell Pennell Lail, whom he married on September 13, 1973; two brothers, George “Buck” Lail and Glenn Lail; and two sisters, Ruth “Sissy” Goodin and Nancy Westmoreland.
He is survived by four daughters, Leslie (Jim) Bost of Statesville, Trudy (Freddie) Ellis of Caledonia, Mississippi, Fonda (Dan) Notch of Raleigh, and Vickie (Pete) Bailey of Mooresville; three brothers, John “Bud” (Hazel) Lail and Bobby Lail, both of Troutman, and Tommy (Doris) Lail of Mickelton, New Jersey; nine grandchildren, James “Jamie” (Helen) Bost, Kim (Steve) Garris, Chris (Carmen) Ellis, Tiffany (Brent) Harris, Robert “Bud” (April) Ellis, Michelle (Ray) Lane, Jody Braswell, Joe (Kari) Notch and Cassidy Bailey; four step-grandchildren, Lisa, Danny, Shane and Dawn Bailey; 17 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral service celebrating Ray’s life will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, March 22, 2014, at Troutman Baptist Church with the Rev. J.B. Parker and the Rev. Chris Ellis officiating. Burial will follow at Iredell Memorial Gardens with military rites accorded by the Iredell County Veterans Council Burial Detail.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM tonight, March 21, at Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home, and at other times will gather at the home of the brother, Bobby Lail, 173 Cedar Lane, Troutman.
Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com.
For those who prefer, memorial contributions may be made to Troutman Baptist Church, P.O. Box 285, Troutman, NC 28166; or to the Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625.
The family would like to express a special thanks to his CNA at Autumn Care, Jessica Harris, for her compassionate care.
Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.
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