Charles S. Ray

Charles Smith Ray, Sr., 93, of Danville, passed away December 12, 2022 in Danville. He was born on November 4, 1929 to the late Vernon Henry and Mary Jane Farrer Ray. He is preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Maxene Moore Ray.

He started working for L&N Railroad in Louisville, Kentucky in 1951 and later retired from CSX Railroad in Jacksonville, Florida in 1988. Charles was a member of Danville Church of Christ on Lexington Avenue in Danville. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. 

Charles is survived by a son, Charles "Chuck" Smith Ray, Jr. (Elizabeth) of Atlanta; two daughters, Shelia Jacobs (Chuck) of Louisville and Debby Vifquain (Scott) of Danville; a sister, Patricia Ray McLellan of Elkin, North Carolina; eight grandchildren: Charlie Vifquain (Lora), Kathryn Canada (Jim), Dianne Estes (Mike), Matthew Rupp (Chelsea), Jon Rupp (Wynter), Rebecca Rupp, Chase Ray (Libba), and Molly Ruth Ray (James Lester); and great-grandchildren: Andrew Vifquain, John David Vifquain, Madalyn Canada, Olivia Canada, Celeste Canada, Caleb Estes, Remy Rupp, Raylan Rupp, Morgan Rupp, Anne Karen Ray, Charlie Eckler Ray, and Harriet Lyn Ray.

Funeral services will be 12 Noon, Friday, December 16, 2022 at Preston Pruitt Spurlin Funeral Home with Mike Estes officiating. Visitation will be from 10:30am until time of service on Friday. A private family burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Frankfort, Kentucky.

Honorary pallbearers will be Charlie Vifquain, Caleb Estes, Chase Ray, Jon Rupp, Matthew Rupp, James Lester, Derek Steen, Bernard Moore, and Bill Moore.

The family would like to thank Lisa Prewitt, Lavonda Johnson, Dr Brian Ellis, and Heritage Hospice staff for their care for their father in his last days. They are also grateful to the many associates at the Wellness Center who encouraged him over the years. 

Memorial contributions are preferred to Florida College Scholarship Fund in honor of Charles Ray 119 N. Glen Arven Ave. Temple Terrace, FL 33617 (Floridacollege.edu), Heritage Hospice, 120 Enterprise Drive Danville, Ky 40422, or Sacred Selections in honor of Charles Ray 4144 Shores Rd. Murfresboro, TN 37128 (sacredselections.com).

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