Raymond Morgan

A Beloved Husband, Father and Grandfather

Raymond Morgan of Roswell, Georgia, passed away peacefully and entered eternal rest on Thursday, September 18, 2025. He was born on December 4, 1935, in Chidester, Arkansas, to Gus and Avery Morgan. At the time of his passing, Ray was 89 years old.

Ray’s life was marked by unwavering love and dedication to his family, especially Boneva (Lanton), his wife of 58 years, his sons, Jeffrey and Raymond Douglas, and all six of his grandchildren.

A man of deep character, integrity, and compassion, Ray was always quick with a kind word or a helping hand, and his laughter filled every room he entered. His loved playing tennis and his favorite traditions included gathering with family to enjoy a holiday meal or watching major sporting events on television—sharing stories, laughter, and participating in friendly debates over the game’s best plays.

Part of the Great Migration North from the racial violence and economic oppression of the Jim Crow South, Ray’s family settled in Rockford, Illinois in the early 1940’s, where he honed his business acumen watching his entrepreneurial mother sell haircare products to other Black women. As a young man, his generosity and sense of purpose extended far beyond his immediate family. During the 1960s and 1970s, he became a driving force in the local Black Panther Party of Self Defense’s local community improvement efforts, leading scholarship programs for underprivileged students, organizing health fairs to increase access to basic care in underserved neighborhoods and coordinating volunteer drives for local charities and community initiatives. Friends recall how Ray would spend many Saturday’s and evenings coaching youth sports in his neighborhood. Ray’s commitment to making a positive difference inspired everyone who worked alongside him and led to his trailblazing role as one of IBM’s first Black sales executives, a 25-year career spanning the United States, Asia and Europe.

Ray is survived by his sons, Jeffrey (wife Joyce) and Raymond Douglas; grandchildren, Janel, Michael, Jasmine, and Matthew; and great-grandchildren, Zane and Zoey. He also leaves behind many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his cherished wife, Boneva; his mother, Arvery Anderson; his father, Gus Morgan; his brothers, George and John Morgan; and his sister, Ruth Donnell.

Family and friends are invited to honor Ray’s memory at a Memorial Service on Tuesday, September 30th, at 1:00 PM, held at Roswell Funeral Home, 950 Mansell Road, Roswell, Georgia 30076. All who were touched by his kindness and spirit are welcome to attend and celebrate his remarkable life.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations to honor Ray’s legacy be made out to Lakeview Cemetery in care of Denise Drue at 1170 Taborn Road, Carrier Mills, Illinois 62917

You are invited to share condolences and memories of Raymond Morgan on the Roswell Funeral Home website: www.roswellfuneralhome.com.

Though Ray’s passing leaves a deep void in our hearts, his legacy of love, service, and integrity will remain with us forever. May we carry forward his example of compassion, generosity, and unwavering support for family and community.