Grady Melvin Ray, Sr.

68 year old Grady Melvin Ray, Sr. of Smithville died Monday at his residence. He was retired from A.D. Smith Electrical Motors and a member of the New Union The Baptist Church. The funeral will be Thursday at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Anthony Pelham and Darrell Cantrell 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 the service at 2:00 p.m. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Avis Novella Dunham Ray and a brother-in-law, Paul Blankenship. Survivors include his wife Charlotte Huddleston Ray of Smithville. A son, Melvin and wife Melissa Ray of Smithville. A daughter, Marla and husband James Nix of Tullahoma. Step-son, Traeton McCoy of McMinnville. Sister, Geraldine Blankenship of Smithville. Four grandchildren, Lynsey, Mallory, and Ethan Nix of Tullahoma and Madelyn Rose Ray of Smithville. Four step grandchildren, Lane, T.J., and Matthew and Ella McCoy of McMinnville. Nieces, Paula and husband Danny Roller of Rock Island and Teresa and husband Keith Turner of Maryville. Great nieces, Mary and Sarah Roller of Maryville and Allison and husband Brad Krawczyk of Atlanta, Georgia. Great nephew, Daniel Turner of Atlanta, Georgia. Special friends, Herb and Aliene Ashley of Sparta and Donnie and Martha Flatt of Cookeville. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.