Stanford George Ray

Mr. Ray was born April 19, 1937 to the union of the late George Henry and Theola Kimble Ray in Palestine, Arkansas. He was one of the six children born to that union. He accepted Christ at an early age at Shiloh Church in Palestine, Arkansas. He graduated from Christ Church School in Forrest City, Arkansas.

As a child, Mr. Ray grew up on a farm working hard alongside his father everyday plowing in the fields. As technology in the farming industry progressed, Stanford was proud to say his family owned some of the most sophisticated farming equipment and machinery available at the time. Even as a child, his life reflected the phrase, "Hard Work Pays Off". It is in the fields where he learned how to work hard and set his mind to be the best in whatever he did in life.

He united in marriage with Ruthie Mae Johnson and two children were born to this union, Urban Ray and the late Angela Ray. Years later, in the prime of his life, he met and married Cedessa Ray, whom he said was the love of his life. He was her loving and diligent caregiver throughout the years of her illness until the Lord called her home.

Mr. Ray attended and graduated from Little Rock Barber College. He then moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas where he became the one of few prominent black businessmen in the area. He was a well-known licensed master barber and hair stylist for forty-five years. His entrepreneurial spirit and strong work ethic was beacon of the light to his son, Urban Ray, who followed in his footsteps and worked beside his father for ten years at Ray's Barber Shop Beauty & Barber Supply House on Grand Avenue in Hot Springs. His entrepreneurial endeavors led him to own several other businesses in Forest City, Arkansas. He received honorary recognition from the Sheriff's Department in Forest City, Arkansas. In addition to operating his own businesses, Stanford Ray also served as the Executive Manager of Shorter College Plaza in Hot Springs for several years. He was also on the Board of Shorter College in North Little Rock, Arkansas.

After relocating to Hot Springs, he joined Visitor's Chapel A.M.E. Church where he served as the Chairman of the Trustee Board for eight years and served as a Doorkeeper for over twenty-five years. Mr. Ray was also a member of the Elk Lodge #31. He was a charitable man who helped many people as God directed his path. He was an awesome man of God, father, friend, brother and a servant leader in the community.

II Timothy 4:7-8 "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing". Stanford Ray fought a good fight until he ascended to his final resting place on Monday, February, 16, 2015 in the home of his son and daughter-in-law, Urban and Bobbie Ray. His legacy will live on in his children and grandchildren.

Preceding Stanford Ray in death were his wife, Cedessia Ray, his brother Frank Ray, his sister Mary Smith, and two daughters, Debra Ray and Angela Ray.

He leaves to mourn his passing: his two brothers, Willard "Bill" Ray (Elizabeth), and Billy (Gloria) Ray both from Forest City, Arkansas; his sister Dimple Brown of Forrest City, Arkansas; his sons, Elder Urban (Bobbie) Ray, with whom he lived in Raymore, Missouri and who gave him quality care during the last months of his life, and Luther (Yuko) Ray from Moreno Valley, California; his daughters, Sharon (Julius) Ray-Davis from Memphis, Tennessee, Helen (Elie) Payne from Little Rock, Arkansas, Angela (Michael) Oliver from Dallas, TX, and Debra (Norris) Kelley-Hill from Dallas, TX; step-daughter, Barbra Wright from Overland Park, Kansas; god-daughter Julia Haynie from Forrest City, Arkansas and also 13 grandchildren and 18 great- grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Saturday, February 21, 2015 at 11 A.M. at the Visitors Chapel A.M.E. Church in Hot Springs, Ar with Rev. Gregory C. Nettles as eulogist. The body will lie in state at the church from 10 A.M. until funeral time Saturday. Burial will be at the Gill Cemetery in Gill, AR under the direction of Mitchell Funeral Home of Arkadelphia.

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