Rev Earl C. Ray

Earl C. Ray, 79 of Kansas City, Missouri passed away on May 5, 2017. He was born on October 17, 1937 in Batesville, Mississippi to Herman and Edith Ray. The family moved to Kansas City, Kansas in March 1946 where he attended Douglass Elementary, Northeast Junior, and Sumner High Schools. After high school, he joined the United States Army where he served four years. He achieved the rank of Private First Class. After the Army, he met and married the late wife Mary Jean Matthews. Initially he worked in various construction related jobs until founding his own Roofing Company where he worked until he succumbed to his illness.

Earl accepted Christ at an early age. He later united with Eastside New Hope Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. While serving as deacon, he was called into the ministry. Later he was called to be the pastor. He served as pastor for approximately twenty years.

He subsequently united with the Rightway Missionary Baptist Church in September of 2000, and later became the assistant pastor under the leadership of Pastor Vernon Lee Harris, Sr. He worked faithfully until his health failed him.

He was preceded in death by his parents Herman Ray, Sr. and Edith Conley, his stepfather Robert C. Conley, his sister Denease R. Conley, and his son Mark

He is survived by his children; Andrew Matthews(Lisa), Myra Louise Byrd, Steven Ray, Robert Earl Matthews, Eric Ray(Karen), Deneen Ray, Ararat Ray, Alcon West(Shirley) and Euphrates West all of KCMO, his siblings; Herman Ray, Jr(Edna), Stanley Ray of KCMO, Cherrie Allen of Fontana, CA, James L. Ray, Barbara Haynes-Jenkins(Will), and Joyce Fletcher(Joseph) all of KCMO. He also leaves 31 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, and a host of other relatives. The family wishes to thank the staff of Swope Ridge Geriatric Center for the loving compassionate care given to our father, and brother during his long illness.