Bennie Joe Ray
November 21, 1935 ~ September 10, 2013
Resided in:
Fletcher, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Fletcher – Bennie Joe Ray, 77, passed away Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at his residence surrounded by his family.
Bennie was born in Buncombe County to the late Ken and Alma Wright Ray. He was also preceded in death by four brothers, Ken, Max, Earl and Richard Ray and two sisters, Rebecca Dyer and Nina Lee Ray.
He was a Veteran of the US Army and was a member of Inanda Baptist Church in Asheville.
He is survived by his wife, Sarah; one son and daughter-in-law, Ronnie and Kelly Ray; grandson, Garrett and granddaughter, Peyton of Fort Mill, SC and one brother, Herbert Ray of Arden.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, September 12, 2013 in the chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian with Reverend Terry House officiating. Burial will follow at Bethany United Methodist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 12:00 pm until 1:45 pm Thursday at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Inanda Baptist Church's Building Fund, 590 Brevard Road, Asheville, NC 28806.
Dear Sarah, Ronnie and Family, Uncle Ben was and is such a treasure. He walked through many heartbreaks with me through the years. You were always there…I will miss him so much, but we rejoice in his healing and home going. What a time he is having in Heaven Truly, Heaven is getting Sweeter all the time. I love you, and give you one of many scriptures that helped me during times like this…Isaiah, 40:31. I love you Sarah, Ronnie, Kelly, and family. You are so very special. May God bless you and carry you close to His Heart just now.
Love you always, Debbie and Carlos
Dear Sarah, Ronnie and Family, Uncle Ben was and is such a treasure. He walked through many heartbreaks with me through the years. You were always there…I will miss him so much, but we rejoice in his healing and home going. What a time he is having in Heaven Truly, Heaven is getting Sweeter all the time. I love you, and give you one of many scriptures that helped me during times like this…Isaiah, 40:31. I love you Sarah, Ronnie, Kelly, and family. You are so very special. May God bless you and carry you close to His Heart just now.
Love you always, Debbie and Carlos
Ms. Sara, I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. We love you. Wendy
Sarah and Ronnie, I feel like we have lost a family member. I have such fond memories of Bennie at the ball field with Dad. He was such a gentle man, always kind and smiling. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Love you.
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord. Psalm 23:6
We know that Benny is now dwelling with the Lord.
Nancy and Bill Rathburn
Vesta Chandley (Hardy)
Our sincere sympathy. Praying that God will comfort you and give you His strength during this most difficult time.
He healeth the broken in heart. Psalm 147:3
We were sorry to learn that Ben passed away. Barbara and I both attended Woodfin High School and grew up with the Ray family. Barbara was in the same school class as Ben and I graduated with his brother Richard. Herbert was younger , but I imagine he remembers us. We offer our sincere condolences to the family. Jerry and Barbara (Wyatt) Deal.
May God bless your family.
The Pate family
We extend to you our deepest sympathy.God bless you and be with you in this difficult time .
Sarah, I am so sorry to hear of your loss.Bennie was such a fine person. It was so nice to see him standing at the front door of the church when he was able. He was just a joy to be around in any situation. He will be missed. I have such admiration for you and the way you cared for him. Of course you take care of anybody that needs you. I love you and will keep you in my prayers. I know that God will keep you in his care through this tough time. Love you! Mildred
Dear Ray family, So sorry to hear about Benny. I know he is now home. May Our Father help you as you go through this time. Benny was a great inspiration to me at CTS all those years ago. He always had that smile no matter where he was or where you saw him. He will be missed. Love and prayers, Sandy
Sarah and Family,
So sorry to hear of the passing of Benny. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sarah, Ronnie and family,
WE are so sorry to hear of the passing of Bennie. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Bennie was such a pleasant man and a joy to always be around. I can see that BIG smile now in heaven looking down on us!
Sarah,
I am sorry to hear of your loss. Benny was a good man, and good friend. He will be remembered fondly.
John Barnwell
Dear Sarah: I am so sorry to hear of Ben’s passing. He was a wonderful friend to our family, even though we haven’t seen either of you in years.
Our prayers are with you and your family that God will give you a double portion of His grace during this time. With love, Joan
Dear Sarah,Ronnie and Family,
I am so sorry to hear about Bennie I just read it in the paper was shocked.Ijust wanted you all to know I was thinking about you all and praying God would comfort your hearts,it’s so hard I know but know that we have God’s promise that you all will meet him again someday! I remember him fondly! Love you all, Michael Conard
Dear Sarah,
Judy called me with the sad news about Bennie. You and your family are in my prayers.
May God give you comfort at this time, Marie Jackson
I grew up with bennie joe, in woodfin, we used to play baseball. During our lifetime of friendship, I never once heard him use harsh language, he was a really nice guy, all his life. Maybe GOD has a baseball team in heaven for Bennie Joe to play on.
Sara & Ronnie, every memory of Ben is a happy one for me. He always made my heart smile. I know you are at a loss, my prayers will continue for your entire family. One of my favorite memories was when you & Ben gave Jacob ‘an empty box’. How special Ben was to my heart.