Charles R. Ray

Charles R. Ray known as Coffee and Ray was born to Charles W. Ray and Allie Mae Johson on January 13, 1932 in Alabama.  He was the eldest of three brothers and three sisters.

Charles retired from Dana Corporation at a young age.  He wanted to stay busy, so he sould load up his truck wiht items to sell and go to the flea market.  Doing this wasn't enough to keep him busy so he decided to go to Golightly Technical Adult School, for small engines repair. He received 3 certificates. One for each year he attended.

He decided to open his business of repairing engines for snow blowers and lawnmowers.  Charles was a jack-of-all-trades.  He could fix just about anything.

Charles had a green thumb.  He had beautiful garden with collard and turnip greens, green beans, tomatoes, okra, cucumbers, sage, parsley, watermelon and a big apple tree.  He won a certificate six years in a row for the beautification of his home.  His lawn was well groomed and beautified with flowers.

Charles was a very good cook. When you come to his home, he is going to make sure you taste his cooking.

When Charles became ill and was hospitalized he departed this earth fast and did not suffer.  Now he is at peace. He always said, if he died today or tomorrow he lived a good life.  God has been good to him.

He is survived by one son, Charles (aka Chuckie) Ray; four daughters, Sharon Evonne Shows, Veronica Jane Lee, Rhonda Lynn Smith and Patricia Elaine Weston; three sisters, Anne L. Bennett, Nell Williams and Anna Ruth Ray; a son-in-law, Joseph Smith; a brother-in-law, John Williams; a sister-in-law, Lucy Ray; nineteen grandchildren, fifty great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He is preceded in death by two sons, Charles Larry Ray and Daniel Carl Ray; and three brothers, Joe Ray, Willie Ray and Edward Ray.