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Obituary for Charles Ray
Charles William Ray of Eatonton, Georgia, formerly of Atlanta and Douglasville, Georgia, passed away in his home on March 4, 2014, at the age of 86. For two years, he fought a courageous battle against lung cancer and complications from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD). Born on May 3, 1927 in Atlanta, Georgia, Charles and his wife of almost 64 years, Allene Bearden Ray, raised their family and lived in Douglasville, Georgia, before moving to Putnam County in 2007. Charles served in the Merchant Marines and the Army during WWII. In 1983, he retired from a 36 year career in the civil service which included assignments with the Railroad Retirement Board, the United States Post Office, and the Veterans Administration where he managed medical claims adjudication. In retirement, he and Allene pursued their love for hiking and exploring the Smoky Mountains where they conquered Mount LeConte, one of the highest peaks in the Appalachian Mountains, over 42 times. For years their neighbors would spot them doing their daily 5 mile walk. He will be remembered for his dry sense of humor and for being an early adopter of technology. He was the “go to guy” for a google search, a consumer product review, or to vet internet urban legends, and was an avid emailer and Facebooker long before it was mainstream with his generation. His Facebook followers, young and old alike, enjoyed exchanging personal, political and social commentaries and witticisms with this octogenarian geek. He was a devoted and loving husband and father, always supporting immediate and extended family alike through their tough times and celebrating their successes. He was a devoted son to his mother Maggie Lee Ray and brother to his sister, Katherine Ray Mobley. He leaves behind two sons, Bryan Conrad Ray (Joe Ann Mason Ray) of Douglasville, Georgia, Charles Jeffrey Ray of Honolulu, Hawaii, and daughter, Paula Ray Benjamin (Lou Benjamin) of Eatonton, Georgia, as well as four great grandchildren, Bryan Ray, Jr., Joseph Ray, Michael Ray and Margie Ray Williams and two great grandchildren, Jesika Williams Holloway and Tyler Williams. Charles touched many lives, and his presence in our lives is a gift we will always be thankful for. At Charles’ request, there will be a memorial service for family members to be scheduled in May. The family respectfully requests that any memorials in Charles’ name be made to Harmony Hospice, 110 Harmony Crossing, Suite 1, Eatonton, Georgia, 31024. Vining Ivy Hill Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
