Lee Burnice Ray

93 year old Lee Burnice Ray of Smithville died Tuesday at Vanderbilt Hospital. He was retired from Magnetek. The funeral will be Thursday at 2:00 p.m. at the New Union The Baptist Church, where he was a member for 61 years. Darrell Cantrell, Bransford England, and Anthony Pelham will officiate and burial will be in the New Union Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 1:15 p.m. at the funeral home. He was preceded in death by his wife, Avis Novella Ray; his parents, Thurman and Lula Lakey Ray; a son-in-law, Paul Blankenship; three brothers, George, J.T., and Clayton Ray; and two sisters, Imogene Rodgers and Lois Ray. Survivors include a daughter, Geraldine Blankenship and one son, Grady and his wife Charlotte Ray all of Smithville. Four grandchildren, Paula and her husband Danny Roller of Rock Island, Teresa and her husband Keith Turner of Maryville, Marla and her husband Jimmy Nix of Fayetteville, and Melvin and his wife Melissa Ray of Smithville. A step-grandson, Traeton McCoy of McMinnville. Nine grandchildren, Allison and Daniel Turner, Sarah and Mary Elizabeth Roller, Lynsey, Mallory, and Ethan Nix, Madelyn Rose Ray, and Lane McCoy. One brother, Donald Ray and two sisters, Nell Rankhorn and Ruth Ray all of Smithville. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.