Robert Eugene Ray (Bobby) was born January 2 2 , 1934, to Jesse and Mary Wilson Ray in Memphis, Tennessee and died October 12, 2022, surrounded by his children . Bobby was recently preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Barbara Hayes Ray . He was a graduate of Humes High School Memphis and was a member and in leadership of the Bricklayers Allied Craft makers local 1-TN for many years . In addition to being a bricklayer for 4 0 years, he was the owner/operator of Covers, etc. franchise in Louisiana, south Mississippi, coastal Alabama, and the panhandle of Florida. Bobby served an airplane mechanic in the Marines durin g the Korean War . He was a jack of many trades and was willing to help family, friends, and his church with all kinds of mechanical or building projects . He played softball and coached his wife's teams for many years. He loved wood working, hunt ing , fish ing , camp ing , water ski ing, and bowling . He was a gifted artist, taught himself to sew , to play the harmonica, and repair circuit boards . Bobby loved garden ing, trees and watching birds . Bobby loved the Lord , was a member of Unity Baptist Church , and served for many years as a deacon in the churches he and his wife attended . He especially was proud of his two children, his eight grandchildren , and twenty-one great grandchildren.

Bobby is survived by his son, Rev. Rob Ray, and wife Ann from Houston, TX; his daughter and caregiver, Lisa Ray Roten, and her husband Randy from Ramer; his grandchildren, Christinann Ray Gardner and husband Shawn; Christopher Ray and wife Holly; Joshua Ray and wife Kristen; Hunter Ray, Marcus Boehler, and wife Ali; Matt Boehler and wife Hannah; Mallory Boehler Bradley and husband Chip, and Meribeth Boehler Carpenter, and husband Matt. Twenty-one great grandchildren: Kate Gardner, Reece Gardner, Corrie Ann Gardner, and Caleb Gardner; Elias Ray, Judah Ray, Noah Ray, Elianna Ray, Caius Ray, Dalton Boehler, Lil l y Boehler, Wesley Boehler, Anniston Boehler, Allyn Boehler, Ava Boehler, Tripp Bradley, Rhett Bradley, Millie Grace Bradley, Maggie Kate Bradley, Jackson Price, and John Thomas Carpenter .