Ray Vaughan Reed Sr. was born on Nov. 2, 1926, in Story, sixth child to Monroe and Nellie Southard Reed. As the youngest child for six years, he was the center of attention until the twins came along. He adored the twins and developed a love for children. This resulted in his unmatched skills as Daddy and Papa. He attended school in Story and graduated from Mount Ida High School following his U.S. Army service.

Ray loved his country and while stationed in post-war Japan he wrote letters and sent photos home. He missed his family dearly, but was excited to see the world and meet new people. Japan was certainly a long journey from Story. Prior to that trip, the furthest he had been from home was to Maine. He and his big brother, John, journeyed to Maine to “get rich” digging potatoes.

Soon after discharge from the military, Ray married his sweetheart, an out-going girl, “from over on Union Hill.” Ruby Marie Stewart defied her parents and married Ray on Oct. 16, 1949. The wedding was held, “between Sunday School and church”, at Muddy Creek Church of God. He doted on her for the next 62 years.

Three years later Dawn Carolyn, daughter, was born followed by Ray Vaughan Jr., son, in another three years. Ray proved to be an excellent father to Dawn and Vaughan and later Papa to Jarrod, Lori Brooke and Erin. He continued parenting and teaching in the capacity of children’s school teacher, father, grandfather and uncle.

Ray went to work in 1952 for Safeway food stores in El Dorado and retired after 30 years of service. He was a meat marker manager who took pride in his work and enjoyed serving his customers.

Retirement brought full-time hunting and fishing, accompanied by friends including, James Pope and Carl Merriweather. Baseball was his team sport of choice having played as a child and later watching the Arkansas Travelers in Little Rock and the St. Louis Cardinals on television.

Ray loved his Lord and belonged to the Church of God his entire life. He spent hours each week studying the Bible and preparing Sunday school lessons for the children’s classes which he taught. His Christian values were exemplified daily until his death on Wednesday, July 25 at the Montgomery County Nursing Home.

He was preceded in death by parents, James Monroe and Nellie Southard Reed; brother, William Varney; and sisters, Vera, Violet, Lois and Erma Lee.

Surviving are his wife, Ruby; daughter and son-in-law, Dawn and Terry Marshall; son and daughter-in-law, Vaughan and Sharma Reed; grandchildren, Jarrod and Sandi Purifoy, Lori Purifoy, and Erin Reed; great-grandchildren, Layne Pender, Alex Purifoy, and Jack Nutt; brothers and sisters-in-law, John and Melba Reed and Paul and Reva Reed; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, James and Julie Stewart. He is also survived by long time friends, Carl Merriweather, Don and Iris Grisham and Billie Tedford Greene; and a host of nieces and nephews whom he adored.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 31 in the Muddy Creek Church of God with Elise Morrison officiating.

Interment will be in Reed Cemetery under the direction of Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Hot Springs.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m., Monday evening.

Charitable donations may be made to “Meals on Wheels” of Hot Springs, Muddy Creek Church of God or Reed Cemetery.

 “… and the greatest of these is love.”

Guest registry is at http://www.davis-smith.com.

 

Published: 07/29/2012