LaGRANGE, Ga. — Bobby Lewis Ray, 71, of LaGrange passed away on Friday, March 16, 2018. Mr. Ray was born on January 1, 1947 in Chambers County, Ala. to the late Ed Jennings and Lorene Ray. He worked as a truck driver for many years and most recently as a bus driver for the Troup County Board of Education.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Nell Copeland Ray; a son, Bobby Lewis Ray Jr.; daughters Francheska Ray, Deborah Tillman (Marlo), Kimberly Bailey (Antonio) and Robin Ray; brothers Willie C. Ray (Betty Ann), John Otis Ray, and Thomas Kyles (Mattie); sisters Tracy Zachary (Cilas), Janice and her husband Victor and Wendy Jennings; ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren; extended family and friends.

Funeral services for Mr. Ray were held Friday. March 23, 2018 at the Higgins LaGrange Chapel Funeral Home. Officiating were the Rev. Jamaal Harrison and the Rev. Betty Ann Ray. The service included a song from Bonnie Taylor and remarks from Amy Brown, a teacher/parent from Troup High; Stephanie Joachim, transportation supervisor, Troup County Schools; long-time friend Willie “Tater Bug” Burton, a truck driver for Walmart, and Leon Thornton, his neighbor and friend.

Interment followed at Meadoway Gardens in LaGrange. Serving as pallbearers were Shawn Hooker, Orlando Taylor, Bernard Taylor, Chris Taylor, Walter Brooks, Willie Burton and Roosevelt Caldwell.

The family would like to give special thanks to the Higgins LaGrange funeral director and his wonderful staff for their excellence of care during this time of their bereavement.