After a lengthy illness, Mr. James Malcolm “Jim” Ray of Sturgis, Mississippi earned his heavenly reward on Thursday, September 15, 2016. The funeral service for Mr. Ray will be at Sturgis Baptist Church on Sunday, September 18th at 4:00 PM, with visitation at the church prior to the service from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. The service will be conducted by Reverend Russell Mord, pastor of Sturgis Baptist Church, with burial in Wake Forest Baptist Church Cemetery. The music will be led by Mr. Ray’s brother, Jerry Ray of Sturgis.

Mr. Ray was born in Sturgis on June 23, 1935, to Mr. J. D. and Mrs. Claudie Carpenter Ray. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1954 – 1958, serving on the USS McDermut. He worked in road construction for most of his life, including working for L. E. Spruill Construction for over 30 years and as the first road manager for the Oktibbeha County unit system, where he retired in 1997. Mr. Ray was a man of integrity who loved God, his family, and work and was a shining example to his children and many others.

Jim Ray is preceded in death by his parents, sisters Jenith Eudean Ray and Katie Ray Rector, and brothers Howard Ray and Ranny Ray.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 56 years Barbara Jo Sides Ray, daughter Lynn Ray (Bobby) Eiland of Starkville, sons Vance Ray of Sturgis and Tim (Nicole) Ray of Diamondhead. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Mari Beth (Steven) Lewis of Fairfield, California, Beau Eiland of Starkville, and Lauren, Davis, and Elizabeth Ray of Diamondhead. In addition, he is survived by sisters Mildred Ray Gray of Columbus, Mattie Ray (A.J.) Price of Columbus, Verna Mae Ray (Carl) Brewer of Starkville, Shirley Dean Ray Halliburton of Dresden, Tennessee, Syble Ray (Nick) Lamons of McCalla, Alabama, and Alice Ray Wickwire of Omaha, Nebraska, brothers Aubrey (Claudette) Ray and Jerry (Peggy) Ray of Sturgis, and nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Serving as pallbearers are grandsons Beau Eiland of Starkville and Davis Ray of Diamondhead, nephews Kevin Boler and Todd Ray, both of Sturgis, Parker Prisock and Presly Prisock, both of Starkville. Honorary pallbearers are great nephew Jackson Boler of Sturgis; nephew David Gray of Macon; Joe Lloyd, Jim Mills, Buddy Prisock, and Joe Reed, all of Starkville; and Timmy Shaw of Sturgis.