Dewey Edward Ray

Dewey Edward Ray, age 93, of Southaven, Mississippi passed away on January 3 at his home. 

Ed was born October 4, 1931, in Eastport, Mississippi, the son of John Harper Ray, Sr and Bertie L. Haynes Ray. He graduated from Burnsville High School in1949 before joining the Air Force in 1951, where he served until honorably discharged in 1960.

While serving in the Air Force, Ed met Jacqueline (Jackie) Bayh Watts who was also serving at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. They were married on August 1, 1953, in Burnsville, Mississippi, and were together for 59 years before Jackie’s passing in July of 2012.

Ed went to work for TVA as an Instrument Mechanic in 1962 at the Colbert Steam Plant in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. In 1968 he transferred to the Allen Steam Plant in Memphis, Tennessee where he worked until retiring in 1987.

Ed was a member of First Baptist Church of Southaven where he was active with the youth ministry. He later attended Colonial Hills Baptist Church in Southaven and was active in the choir. He was a member of Longview Point Baptist Church in Hernando at the time of his passing.

A skilled craftsman who designed and helped build his home, Ed also enjoyed fishing and playing ‘hillbilly’ music with friends. He will be remembered as a Godly man of wisdom who put family and faith first. He leaves a legacy not only in the memories of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, but in the hearts of the many lives he has touched.

Ed is survived by his children, Gary A. (Butch) Ray of Brooks, GA, Charles E. (Chuck) Ray of Horn Lake, MS, Rebecca R. (Becky) Lantrip of Lake Cormorant, MS; grandchildren, Amanda Bowles, Amy Clarkson, Josh Wilson, Kayla Long, Amber McCormick, Aubree Canton, Austin Ray, Houston Lantrip, Dustin Lantrip, Savanah Lantrip, Dillon Lantrip, Breanna Lantrip; great grandchildren, Easton Bowles, Jax Bowles, Hawk Bowles, Izzy Bowles, Karleigh Clarkson, Lane Clarkson, Jackie Clarkson, MJ Long, Anniston Ray McCormick, Maverick McCormick, Charlee Ray Canton, Creed Canton, and Sophia Hetts.

Ed was preceded in death by his wife, Jackie Ray; daughter Christy Ray Wilson; grand daughter Josie Bowles; parents, John H. Ray and Bertie Haynes Ray; siblings, John H. Ray Jr., William Troy Ray, Leonard I. Ray, Aline Moore, Ollie Mae Umfress, and Alpha L. Mosley.

Visitation will be held Thursday January 9 at 1pm at Twin Oaks Chapel located at 290 Goodman Road East in Southaven, Mississippi. The memorial service will follow in the Chapel at 2pm with Dr. Wade Stephens officiating. Military Honors and internment will be at Twin Oaks Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home.

 Memorial donations in honor of Ed may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital at the link below.