DEACON MOSES RAY

Deacon Moses Ray was born on January 5, 1944, in Minter, Alabama to the late Sarah F. (Charles) & Jimmie Ray, Sr. His mother named him after her brother, Moses Charles, whom she loved dearly. Mose, as he was affectionately called, moved to New Orleans, LA, as a young boy with his uncle Henry Charles, and he returned to Alabama several years later. The Ray family moved to the city of Selma, AL in the late 1950s. He attended Old Knox Elementary School and graduated from R.B. Hudson High School in 1962. Moses proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1963 to 1966. Following the footsteps of his older brothers, Moses moved to Akron, OH upon his honorable discharge from the military. During this time, he met and married the former Leanna Dennis, and they welcomed 3 beautiful children to their world: Joseph Lee, Pennie, and David Lee Ray. Moses and Leanna were married for 21 years until she passed away after a short illness. Several years later, Moses met Ms. Pamela Saunders, and the two were united in Holy Matrimony on December 6, 1996. They recently celebrated 26 years of marriage. Moses was employed by the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and retired with 36 years of dedicated service. During his tenure, he garnered the respect and friendship of many of his coworkers. He was also a member of the Goodyear Boating & Yachting Association. After giving his life to the Lord as a teenager, Moses joined the Morning Star Baptist Church in Selma where he sang in the choir. After moving to Akron, he became a devoted member of the Beulah Baptist Church for over 30 years under the pastorate of the late Rev. Robert Lee. He later joined Galilee Baptist Church, and since 2005 he has been a member of the Mount Zion Baptist Church. In each church, he served faithfully and dutifully as unto the Lord in many capacities. He was a member of the Deacon Board, Trustee Board, the Mt. Zion Usher Board, the Interdenominational Church Ushers & Nurses Association of Akron (ICUA) the Brotherhood, and he ministered to the sick and shut in. Moses was a life member of the NAACP, and an award recipient from the Akron Chapter of the Ohio Black Women’s Leadership Caucus. He read the ENTIRE Bible in One Year every year for the past 28 years. He was a praying man, a great man, a loving man, and an excellent role model. If you knew Moses, you knew that he was the quintessential outdoorsman. Since childhood, he LOVED to be outside. On any given day, he could be found fishing or hunting with his sons, dear uncle Richmond Charles and Rev. Lee. He loved sports of all kinds and was declared by his son Joseph to be Buchtel High School’s number one fan. Moses was also a traveling man! Until he was unable, he traveled to his home state on a yearly basis to visit family as well as going on many cruises with his wife and family. After having lived a full life of godliness, unmatched generosity, kindness, and unwavering love for his family, Deacon Moses Ray went to be with Jesus peacefully in his sleep on the morning of June 3, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents Sarah & Jimmie Ray, Sr.; his first wife Leanna Ray; beloved daughter Pennie Ray; brothers William, Wash, Herman, Jimmie, Jr., & Henry “Jack” Ray and Samuel Hunter; sister Ella Mae Murray; special uncle Richmond Charles, and special aunt Rebecca Charles. He leaves to cherish his legacy, his devoted wife Pamela Ray of Akron, OH; sons Joseph (Carletta), and David Ray both of Akron; granddaughters Shatori (Alan) James of Columbus, OH, Petty Officer First Class Marchée Ray of San Diego, CA, Kiesha Ray of Charleston, SC, and Ayuanna Ray of Akron; great-grandchildren Leyah Sanders, Carter Henderson, & Alan James, Jr.; sisters Evelyn Ray of Selma, AL, and Mary Poole of Akron, and special niece Sedonia Jeneé Poole of Akron. He also leaves behind a host of loving nieces, nephews, relatives, friends, and the Mt. Zion Baptist Church family. Special thanks to neighbors Craig and Louann, Fairlawn Police & Fire Departments.

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