Funeral service for Jeff Ray will be 1 p.m., Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at Riverwood Family.
Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
Jeff was born December 12, 1957, to Preston Allen Luther “A.L.” Ray and Etta Pearl Smith Ray in
Brookhaven, Ms. He passed at the age of 63, on March 26, 2021, in Wesson, MS while at home.
Jeff was a graduate of Copiah Lincoln High School in 1975 and Copiah Lincoln Junior College in
1977. He went on to obtain his Bachelor of Science in Social Work from the University of
Southern Mississippi in 1981, and later his Master of Science in Management from Belhaven University
in 2006. He was employed as a Social Worker with Van Winkle Home Health, the Department of
Human Services in Brookhaven, Ms and Jackson, Ms, King’s Daughters Medical Center, and
retired from the Mississippi Adolescent Center as Director of Risk Management in 2012 after 27 years with the state.
Jeff was a very talented drummer. He began his journey with music with his first band, “The Rejects”,
at the age of 15. He went on to play in various bands, Pluto Bandito, Elbert Shiver, and Cry Wolf to
name a few, making lifelong friends and an impact on everyone he met. He was also a member of the
drum line at Copiah Lincoln High School, Copiah Lincoln Junior College, Mississippi State, and the
University of Southern Mississippi. Although music was a lifelong enjoyment, his pride and joy were
his children and grandchildren. He never missed an event no matter how small, or far away. He led in
life with great support and wisdom that will not soon be forgotten. His love for teaching his
grandchildren to fish or the discussion of his latest book will be greatly missed. He was the most
amazing father and grandfather we could have asked for.
He was survived by his brother, Michael Ray (Sandra); sons, Zachary “Zack” Felix Ray, and
Preston Loranzy Ray; daughter, Dorothy Claire Ray McManus (Jared); grandsons, Jayden Ray, Landon Ray,
and Brian Ray; granddaughters, Isabelle Ray and Scarlette McManus; and mother of his children Ruthie Catt Stewart.
Proceeded in death by his parents, A.L. Ray and Etta Pearl Ray; and brother, Preston Ray.
