Roy A. Ray, 77, of Tifton passed away Friday, September 15, 2023, at Southwell Hospital in Cook County. His funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 19, 2023, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals with Robert Harrison officiating. Mr. Ray will be laid to rest at Turner Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Berrien County. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals from 1:00 p.m. until the hour of the service.
Josh McMillan, Tim Gray, Jesse Greene, Wes Carpenter, Stacy Lasseter and Kevin Lasseter will serve as pallbearers,
Born May 15, 1946, in Tift County, Mr. Ray was the son of the late Rufus Ray and Jeffie Mae Harris Ray. He was also preceded in death by one brother, Eddie Lane Ray; and two sisters, Geraldine Fogarty and Doris Drawdy. Before retiring, he worked as a herdsman for the University of Georgia Experiment Station and he was a very involved member of Tift Avenue Missionary Baptist Church. He helped start the Southeastern Showdown Rodeo. He was very involved with the Tift Area Roping Association and he was an amazing craftsmen of handmade roping saddles. He was a veteran of the United States Navy and served four years in Vietnam aboard the USS Lowry.
Mr. Ray is survived by his wife, Louise Ray of Tifton; one son and daughter-in-law, Rudy and Stephanie Ray of Tifton; and two grandchildren, Emma Grace Ray and Austin Lee Ray.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Fellowship of Christian Cowboys at www.christiancowboys.com; any Veterans Support Group; or a charity of choice.