Carey Thomas Ray, Sr.

December 20, 1940 – September 9, 2023

Service

Saturday, September 23, 2023

Lie In State: 9:00 A.M.

Family Visitation: 11:00 A.M.

Funeral Service: 12:00 Noon

Held at

Fairlane Church of Christ

101 Dow Street

Shelbyville, Tennessee

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Interment

Willow Mount Cemetery

Shelbyville, Tennessee

Carey Thomas Ray Sr.’s journey started on December 20, 1940, to the parents of Alderman Eugene Ray, Sr. and Katherine Peacock in Shelbyville, Tennessee, and ended on September 9, 2023, in Gulfport Mississippi.

Carey moved to Chicago at a young age and attended Douglas Grammar School and Dunbar Vocational High School where he ran track. At the age of 21, he became a Mason in Wayfarers Lodge, as well as an Eastern Star, in Rebecca D. Boone #128. He received his 32nd degree in Western Consistory #28, which were all in Chicago, under the Prince Hall Affiliation. Carey accepted Christ as his Lord and personal Savior and was a member at Providence Missionary Baptist Church, located in Chicago, Illinois; where he served as Senior Usher Board President for several years. Carey was the senior sales representative for Romano Brothers Beverage Company, which at that time was the largest beverage company in the United States, where he worked for 36 years, until July 11. 2003, when he retired. He was also the owner of his pool hall in Chicago for 15 years, which was located at 43rd Street between Michigan and Wabash, in Chicago, Illinois.

In 1996, Carey married Anna Noland and lived in Chicago for 7 years until their move to Gulf Port, Mississippi where they made a beautiful home for 28 years.

He was preceded in death by family members: parents, Eugene Ray, Sr.; and Katherine Tyler; brother, Eugene (Geno) Ray; sister, Shirley McKinney, sister, Rebecca L. Brown; brother, Eugene Ray, Jr. and sister, Elaine Ray-Radford. Grandsons, Royce Cunningham, Jr.; Jamal Gordon and Abdul-Rashid Cox.

Celebrating his life forever are: Wife, Anna Ray; children, Royce (Yvonne) Cunningham; Crystol (Earl) T. Ray-Selby; Carey T. Ray, Jr.; Camille (Paul) T. Ray; Sonya Daniels; Kawana (Willie) Noland; Dr. Chel’onda T. Ray; (15) grandchildren; (25) great-grandchildren; and (3) great-great-grandchildren; brother, Dr. Bernard (Angela) Ray; sisters, Marsha A. Tyler; Patricia (Alvin) A. Tyler-Dent; Deborah D. Tyler; and host of many nephews, nieces, cousins and devoted friends.