Raymond Allen "Ray" Barbee

Raymond Allen “Ray” Barbee, 85, passed away from this earthly life into eternal life with God and His Son Jesus Christ Saturday evening, December 3, 2011, at his residence. Ray was born November 30, 1926 in Nicholas County, Kentucky, one of six children of George and Anna Clavell Barbee. He spent most of his early life near Carlisle and Morefield, Kentucky and entered the U.S. Army in 1945. Toward the end of his tour of duty during WW II, he was stationed in Okinawa. Ray came to Connersville in 1948 where he met the former Betty J. Paris. They married in 1950. For 40 years, he was employed at Visteon and its predecessors, retiring in 1988. Ray and his wife were active members of the New Heights Christian Church for 61 years where Ray had served as a deacon, elder and Elder Emertius. Ray is survived by his wife of 61 years; four children and their spouses: Rebecca High and Max of Ft. Wayne, Rodney Barbee and Becky of Springersville, Dana Brown and Greg of Morehead, Kentucky, Steve Barbee and Donita of Tampa, Florida; ten grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by an infant son: Donn Allen; his granddaughter: Laura Nicole Brown; brothers: Bill, Marvin, Glen and Harry Barbee and a sister. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday at Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home, Myers Chapel, Connersville with Pastor Brian Powell officiating. Interment will follow in Orange Cemetery, Fayette County. Friends may visit at the funeral home from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday where memorial contributions may be made to the New Heights Christian Church or to the Fayette County Cancer Society. For additional information and to send condolences or memories, go to www.ShowalterBlackwellLong.com