Rodney Ross Ray

Rodney Ross Ray went to his heavenly home on January 5th, 2021. He was born in Pineville, LA on December 6, 1942, to Ross and Arnetta Ray. He was raised in Willits, CA, and eventually became a native of Baton Rouge, LA. He graduated from Istrouma High School in Baton Rouge, LA and then worked as a Pipe Designer Draftsman for over 40 years. He married the love of his life, Shirley Diane Wilson Ray, on December 2, 1961. They had two children, Randy DeWayne Ray and Renae Estelle Ray Briggs; and three grandchildren, Stacie, Zachary, and Joshua Ray. And they had lots of "claimed" family! Rodney was a co-founding member and bass singer of The Fishermen Quartet, a traveling Gospel music group. He loved to sing and did so every chance he got! He especially loved to fish! Squirrel hunting, LSU sports, and vacationing in his camper were also some of his favorite pastimes. Rodney always enjoyed serving in several Baptist church capacities including music director, youth director, Sunday School teacher, and a Deacon. He volunteered for anything that he could from Men's ministry to missions in Costa Rica, and even building wheelchair ramps for those in need. so He enjoyed people--he never met a stranger! He loved being together in a crowd especially of his fellow church members and his family. He was so proud when someone decided to claim him and call him "Paw-Paw". You always knew that he was there for you. He was genuinely interested in what was going on in your life, and he made sure to give advice that was based on the Scripture. He lived his life by the Bible and allowed the Lord to guide his life decisions. Rodney will be missed by his earthly family yet they rejoice knowing he is in Heaven doing what he loves--singing praise to his Savior!

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Diane Wilson Ray; son, Randy Ray (wife, Lori Rogers Ray); daughter, Renae Ray Briggs (husband, Scott Briggs); grandchildren, Stacie, Zachary, and Joshua Ray; brother, Howard Ray (wife, Linda) of Farmington, NM; sister, Beth Ray Spiers (husband, Lloyd "Buddy" Spiers) of Prairieville, La.; brother-in-law, Fred Remstedt; and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

Rodney was preceded in death by his parents, Ross and Arnetta Ray; sister, Billie Ray Remstedt; and granddaughter, Crystal Briggs.

Visitation for Family and Friends will be on Saturday, January 9, 2021 from 11:00 am until the Funeral Service begins at 1:00pm, at Natalbany Baptist Church, 48024 Parsonage Rd, Natalbany, LA 70451.

Interment will be in Loranger Community Cemetery, Loranger, Louisiana.

In lieu of flowers, the family would love for donations to made in Rodney's honor to his church

Mission Fund, The River Fellowship Mission Fund at https://theriverfellowship.net/online-giving/

Face masks are mandatory to attend any visitation or service and we ask that you maintain a respectful distance with the family. Thank you for your cooperation.

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