Born on April 26, 1943, in East Ridge, TN, he was the son of the late Howard Emmit and Minnie Lee Wilson Ray. He was of the Church of God faith.
Surviving are his wife, Lily Ray; three children, Jerry Anderson Ray, of Pickens, Andrea Niechole Ray, of Pickens, and Joseph Donald Ray, of Eureka, CA; one brother, Howard Jerry Ray, of Hixon, TN; four grandchildren, Marcus Daesean Drayton, Sr. (Samantha Jones), Elizabeth Cheyenne Drayton, Morgan Seanne’ Ray and Katilynn Brianna Ray; two great-grandchildren, Marcus Drayton, Jr and Carriagan Drayton; two aunts and many loving nieces and nephews.
Mr. Ray was also predeceased by two sons, James Ray, II and Douglas Scott Ray; two sisters, Betty Wilkins and Linda Morgan, and one foster brother, Wayne Hand.
A casual family and friends gathering will be held to memorialize Mr. Ray on Saturday, November 24, 2018, from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. at Dillard Funeral Home.
The family will be at the home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the attention of Lily Ray at 200 Bivens Street, Pickens, SC 29671.