After graduating from Humes High School, Raymond attended William R. Moore Technical School. Following technical school, Raymond went to work for his father in the grocery store his family owned and later worked for Piggly Wiggly until he retired.
In 1959, Raymond married Nina Thurman and together they settled down in the Memphis area. While they never had any children, they were married for almost 38 years. On January 15, 1997, Nina preceded Raymond in death after a long battle with cancer.
On September 19, 1998, Raymond married Lucille and they lived in Lakeland, TN where together they built a beautiful family that includes Lucille’s three sons, five grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
To coworkers and friends, he will always be known as Raymond. And to his family, he will always be known as RaRa. But, no matter how you knew him, it was evident to all of us, that he was a compassionate, generous, caring, kind, and confident man.
Raymond had a heart and a spirit for helping people. He loved Jesus and God’s Word. He served as a deacon at Chelsea Avenue Presbyterian Church for many years. After meeting Lucille, he became an active member at Raleigh Baptist Church where he also sang bass in the choir. In 2015, Raymond was honored and awarded a Certificate for 50 years of service as a Mason and Eastern Star Chaplain. Raymond is survived by his wife Lucille; two stepsons, Steven and Gregory; three siblings, Barbara, Patricia, and William; five step-grandchildren, Heather (spouse Richard), Melissa (spouse Bart), Gavin, Melinda (spouse Macon), and Ashley; and eight great-grandchildren, Reagan, Lyla, Brennan, Truett, Hayes, Liam, AudreyAnna, and Adalyra.
Raymond is preceded in death by his parents, Julian and Iva Ross; two siblings, Juanita and James; his former wife, Nina; and stepson, Rodney.
A gathering of family and friends for Julian will be held Monday, January 31, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, Tennessee 38133. A celebration of life service will occur Monday, January 31, 2022 at 2:00 PM, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, Tennessee 38133. A committal service will occur, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, Tennessee 38133.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralGermantownParkway.com for the Ross family.
