Rufus Ray,

Mr. Rufus Franklin Ray, Sr., passed from this mortal existence into eternal life Thursday, April 28, 2011 at his home following a lengthy illness. He was constantly cared for by his loving wife and family during his long home going. He was born in Murray Hollow community near Jewell Ridge, Virginia on January 8, 1937 and was the son of the late Lee Henry and Virgie Ethel Blankenship Ray. He was educated in Tazewell County public schools. Rufus honorably served in the U.S. Army in Berlin, Germany from 1956-1958. He also served in the Virginia Army National Guard from 1958-1964. Rufus married the love of his life, Naomi Horton Ray, on March 21, 1959. In 1959, Rufus went to work in the coal mines and finally retired in 1993 as the owner of Kents Ridge Welding Service. He also worked for Overbay & Brown Hardware, S & S Machinery, Pittston Coal Company, Bek/Tawn Coal Company & Shirl Coal Company. He belonged to the American Legion Post 0208 and was a faithful member of the Richlands Tabernacle. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Bonnie Louise Ray Hill, Reba Jean Ray Jackson, and Edith (Cookie) Ray Hess; three brothers, Ralph Cecil Ray, Chester Verby Ray, and Billy Lee Ray. Survivors are: His loving wife of 52 years: Naomi Horton Ray Three Sons: Rufus Franklin Ray, Jr. and wife, Loretta Rose Ray of Belfast, Virginia Dr. Marvin Lee Ray and wife, Betty Horne Ray of Middletown, Ohio Timothy James Ray and wife, Sandra Perkins Ray of Swords Creek, Virginia Six Grandchildren: Franklin Derek Ray and wife Kayla; Brittany Leeann Ray Ringstaff and husband, Jeremy; Brigitte Nicole Ray, Breanna Lee Ray, Olivia Faith Ray, and James Brent Ray Three Sisters: Eva Ray Houchins and husband, Raymond of Forth Chiswell, Virginia Janice Ray Richardson and husband, Earl of Indianapolis, Indiana Georgia Ray Shepherd and husband, Arnold of Cedar Bluff, Virginia Special Friends: Bernard and Sue Compton; Covey and Nellie Mullins; Bill and Susie Culbertson; Eugene and Verna Wright. Special Care Givers: Brittany Edwards, Melissa White, Dr. Randy Forehand and Employees of Richlands Home Nursing Company Funeral services for Rufus Franklin Ray, Sr. will be conducted Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 2:00 pm at the Richlands Tabernacle, 2500 4th Street, Richlands, Virginia with Pastors Ralph Horton and Robert Osborne officiating. Entombment will follow at Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum at Claypool Hill, Virginia. Members of Casey-Shortt VFW Post #9640 will conduct military graveside rites. Pallbearers will be: Keith Cordle, Randy Cordle, Roy Dale Keene, Richard Keene, Michael Switzer, David Lee Horton, Kevin Grat Horton, J. D. Horton, John Paul Roberts, Jonathan Shepherd, and Joseph Shepherd. Men of the Richlands Tabernacle will serve as Honorary Pallbearers. Friends may call from 6:00pm-9:00pm Friday evening at the Richlands Tabernacle in Richlands, Virginia. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, VA is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com

Rufus Ray,

January 8, 1937 - April 28, 2011