Claude Ray

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, February 24, 2010

NATCHEZ — Services for Claude Gregory Ray, 20, of Natchez, who died Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010, at his residence, will be at 2 p.m. today at Covington Road Church of Christ with Bro. Bo Swilley officiating.

Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from noon until service time today at the church.

Claude Ray, also known as “C,” “Tator” and “Bubba” was born May 9, 1989, in West Memphis, Tenn., the son of Eddie C. and Sherrie Redd Ray. He was baptized into Christ at age 12, and was an active member of Covington Road Church of Christ where he served his Lord and Savior. He attended Natchez public schools and received his G.E.D. at Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Natchez. He was a member of the R.O.T.C. unit at Natchez High School. He was active in Boy Scouting and he received his Eagle Scout rank at age 16; he also earned the Bronze, Gold and Silver Eagle Palms. Claude went to work at Hood Boy Scout Camp for three summers and as an Eagle Scout, attended Philmont Scout Reservation.

Claude Ray was active with the Adams County Search and Rescue Team and the Foster Mound Volunteer Fire Department. He was employed by Natchez Market No. 1 for four years. He also worked part-time for Big River Broadcasting and for two summers at E.A. Redd Pest Control. He previously employed by First Natchez Radio Group as a board operator. He was known for his infectious smile wherever he was. If you ever shopped at the Natchez Market No. 1, he knew you were in the store.

Claude’s aspirations were to become a deputy for the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and recently was told by Sheriff Chuck Mayfield to come see him when he turned 21.

He had a number of hobbies including video games, camping, hunting, fishing and golf. He was an avid fan of Mississippi State University, the New Orleans Saints and WWE.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Elmore and Erma Redd; one uncle, Ronald J. Redd; one aunt, Betty Ann Redd, all of Natchez; and great-grandparents, Wiley C. and Virginia Edwards of West Point.

Survivors include his parents; one brother, Charles M. Ray; one sister, Maryanne Ashley Ray; grandmother, Bernice Richardson of Caledonia; other relatives, Uncle Jim and Aunt Judy Hill, Uncle David and Aunt Michele Tarver, Uncle Michael and Aunt Becky Anderson, all of Natchez, Uncle Jerry and Bea Redd of Baton Rouge, Uncle Dwayne and Aunt Gayle Carlock of Enterprise, La., Aunt Shirley Ray of Caledonia, Aunt Donna Aggerton of Starkville; Uncle Ricky Ray and Aunt Evelyn Bennett, both of West Point; and a number of cousins, Boy Scout brothers, Adams County Search and Rescue Team and Adams County Volunteer Fire Department.

Pallbearers will be members of Boy Scouts of America, Randy Bielfield, Thomas Williams, Chase Herring, Curtis Maier, Derrick Garrity, Jonathan Knight, Lee Best, all Eagle Scouts, and cousin Jered Anderson.

Honorary pallbearers will be Adams County Search and Rescue Team, Adams County Volunteer Fire Department, Natchez Fire Department, men of E.A. Redd Pest Control, Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Will Johnson and Ryan Byrd.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com.