Jesse William (J.W.) Ray's Obituary
Jesse William (J.W.) Ray was born to Mary and Jesse Ray in Ripley, TN and went home to be with his Lord Thursday, March 9 at the age of 96. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife of almost 50 years, Marcia Shoemaker Ray; brothers, Walter and Wilson Ray; sisters, Betty Harper and Elizabeth Deere; and son, Thomas Ray. Mr. Ray is survived by his wife of 27 years, Leila Ray; son, Cullen Ray (Rose Mary), Betty Williams (Richard); brother, Robert Ray (Barbara); grandchildren, Mary Barisa (Mark), Andrew Ray (Brooke), Rachel Curl (Ray), Richard Williams (Kelly), Terry Ray, Esther Ray, and Alan Ray; eight great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was a graduate of Humes High School. A U.S. Marine veteran, he served his country in Japan during WWII. Mr. Ray worked for 33 years with the U.S. Postal Service and was a faithful member of Seventh Street Baptist and Colonial Baptist Churches, where he served in several capacities. He loved the Lord, his family, and traveling. The family will receive friends from 10:30 a.m. until his service begins at 11:30 a.m. Monday, March 13 at Memorial Park Funeral Home. Memorials may be sent to Colonial Baptist Church, 1503 Colonial Rd. Memphis, TN 38117 or Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, P.O. Box 235 Cordova, TN 38088.Funeral services have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38119 901-767-8930. “Celebrating Life…Behind the Stone Wall”
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