Sylvester Ray

Sylvester Ray, beloved husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, peacefully went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 26, 2026.

Sylvester was born on August 25, 1938, in Springfield, Kentucky, to the late Margaret Cooper Ray and John Louis Ray. He attended high school at Paul Laurence Dunbar, graduating in 1957. Shortly thereafter, he married his second wife and began building a life centered around family, faith, and hard work.

Sylvester dedicated 31 years of service to General Motors and was also a proud member of the NAACP. He was a man who truly believed in the Lord and carried his faith throughout his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Margaret Cooper Ray and John Louis Ray; his sister, Margaret Julia Ray Williams; his daughter, Deborah A. Graves; his daughter, Tonya Y. Ray; and his son, David K. Ray.

Sylvester leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 35 years, Gloria J. Ray; his daughters, Stephanie Ray (Stevie), Karen M. Wilkerson (Andrew), and Sonja D. Ray; his stepdaughters, Annette Butler Myers (Donvan) and Alisia R. McGee (James); his son, Kenneth Morrow (Stephanie); his sister, Augustine Ray; his brother-in-law, Carlton L. Butler; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, great-nieces, nephews, great-nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

Sylvester Ray’s life was a testament to faith, family, and perseverance. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved him.

Mass of Christian Burial 12 pm, Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church, 519 Liscum Dr., Dayton, OH. Visitation 11 am- 12 pm at which time family will receive friends. Arrangements entrusted to House of Wheat Funeral Home.

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