Funeral services for Mr. Leroy Ray will begin at 11 a.m. Monday, May 13, 2019 at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home chapel with Dr. Carl White and Dr. Corey Fontan. Interment will follow at 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at Hopewell Cemetery in Hanceville, AL. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.
Mr. Ray, 80, of Meridian, passed away peacefully in his sleep, May 8, 2019 at Regency Hospital of Meridian.
Leroy was a 1957 graduate of Hanceville High School. He was a member of Highland Baptist Church for over 50 years, a member of the Don Jemison Sunday School class and also served on numerous committees through the years. Mr. Ray served with the Mississippi and Alabama National Guard; he was also an assistant Boy Scout leader at Highland for numerous years. Leroy was a longtime member of The Meridian Homebuilders Assoc. Mr. Ray was the owner of Broadmoor Home Center, Inc. for 43 years, and the Playhouse Gift and Garden Shoppe for 25 years. He will be remembered for his hard work ethic and dedication to his customers; where he would often say, “I’ll retire when I’m old enough.” Leroy could be found working alongside his family, at the store nearly 60 hours weekly and worked until he was recently hospitalized. He was an honest man to a fault, a people person, problem solver and friend to all in need.
Mr. Ray is survived by his wife and childhood sweetheart of 60 years, having dated since age 14, Wanda Faye Boyd Ray, children, Greg Ray (Cathy) and Tamara Garner (David); grandchildren, Emily Ray Conoly (Lawson), Brandon Taylor Garner and Daniel Ray (Courtney). Great-grandchildren, Audrey, Madeleine, and Elizabeth Conoly. Siblings, Dean Wiggers (Bert), Rebecca Baber and Harold Ray; close relatives, Glenda Vansant, Tom and Linda Boyd, and Martha and Wayne Creasman. Special friend, Mel Bounds, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and customers who were like family.
Leroy is preceded in death by his parents Louie and Myra Ray; in-laws, Isaac and Lena Boyd and children Geoffrey Lei Ray and infant son Ray.
Pallbearers will be Chester Nelson, Frederick Powe, Barry Gough, Allen Wright, Harry Mayer, Chad Casey, Bobby Reeves, Matt Singley, Bobby Dyess. Honorary pallbearers will be James Hudnall, Don Bounds, Leroy Francis, Dr. Steve Tartt, Dr. Dave Russell, Phil Davis, Lynn Shelton, Leroy Francis, Dr. Roscoe Douglas, Dr. Bill Billups, Dr. Shawn Anderson, Bill Powell, David White, Charles C. Henderson, and members of the Don Jemison Sunday School Class.
The Ray family would like to express many thanks and great appreciation to those who prayed and visited him and many thanks to the doctors, nurses, and medical staff who cared for him.
The family requests memorials be made to Highland Baptist Church Youth, American Heart Association, and American Kidney Association.
Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at robertbarhamffh.com
The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, May 12, 2019 at the funeral home.
