George Raymer Folds

Though Ray worked for many years in the printing industry in Chicago, Atlanta, Sylacauga, and at Mail South in Birmingham, most recently he was employed as a PCT at UAB hospital where his love and respect of people was evident in his care of patients and coworkers. As an artist and a collect, he was a member of the Birmingham Art Association, Birmingham Museum of Art, and was a patron of the Sloss Metal Arts Program.

Mr. Folds’ early years were marked by the death of his beautiful mother, Mary Joyce Cook Folds, from polio (15 months later). He was raised by his Aunt Jonell Folds nee Hemphill and Uncle Pleman Folds until he was 6, when he returned to live with his father, George R. Folds, Sr., and stepmother, Lexter S. Folds in Atlanta, GA. He is survived by and will be greatly missed by his siblings, Martha Ann Elrod, Sylvia Folds Knight, and J. David Kirby, his foster mother, two maternal aunts, and numerous biological, foster, and step aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. A tribute to Ray would be remiss in leaving out his heartfelt affection for his friends. His genuine and genial attention to their lives leaves many enriched to have known him.

Ray read, studying issues that interested him, but he never los the wonder of discovery and amazement. He approached his small garden, his art, the night sky, his cancer, and socio-political issues with curiosity, fascination, and concern. He would want us to all listen with care, to love each other, and find the wonderment in life.

There will be a memorial for Mr. Folds this Friday, March 14 at Johns-Ridout’s on University Blvd in Birmingham. There will be a visitation at 2 pm followed by a memorial service at 3pm. Friends and family are asked to, in lieu of flowers, perform a random act of kindness. rrangements under the direction of Johns-Ridout's Funeral Parlors, Birmingham, AL.