Sylvester Ray

Sylvester Ray, 73, resident of Sikeston, Missouri, formerly of Bell City, Missouri, died April 4, 2023 at his home surrounded by family. He was born April 3, 1950 in Bell City, Missouri to the late Joe Henry Ray and the late Katie Mae Isom Ray. He attended Bell City Public Schools in Bell City, Missouri during his teen years. He later relocated to Chicago, Illinois, then to Kansas City, Missouri, where he received his GED. On December 19, 1970, he married Mary Jones, the love of his life and to this union, two daughters were born. They spent 52 years of love and happiness together. He enlisted in the United States Army on November 21, 1969 and served his country for many years. Sylvester’s accolades include the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal (1st Award), and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. SSG Sylvester Ray received the Sguad Leader Bodine Award TY89. He retired from the Army National Guard on May 1, 1999 as a Staff Sergeant, Co A 1140th Engr Co. Sylvester enjoyed doing body and fender work with Mr. Andrew Cain, Jr. He worked many years as the supervisor of the packing department at Wohl Shoe Department. He was also an experienced welder and artist. In his free time, Sylvester played the guitar. He loved playing with his brothers. He had a beautiful soul. Sylvester expressed himself through his passion for poetry and art, which he shared with his family. He will be deeply missed. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by five brothers, Carl Ray, James Ray, Chester Ray, John Henry Ray, and Joe Ray, Jr., and three sisters, Josephine Ray, Georgetta Prentis, and Minnie Bell Baylark. He leaves to cherish his precious memories his wife of the home, Mary E. Ray, his daughters, Crystal Leigh (William, Jr.) Ray Henry of Dexter, Missouri, and Tonya (Deon) Ray Crafton of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, his sisters, Olivia Moore and Glendora Ray of Chicago, Illinois, his grandson, Ronnie Robinson, Jr., his granddaughters, Kyla Janeé Robinson, Amber Cheyenne West, Alexis Marie Robinson and Hay’Leigh Patterson, his great grandsons, Anthony Jarmar (A.J.) Markes Price and Chruz Pullett, his great granddaughters, Kinsley Robinson, Jermany Marks, Mi’Lani Sylayah Love Turner, and Bayleigh Grace Forrest, his nephew who was a brother to him, Alvester Johnson, his best friend, Charles Hardin, family friend and Pastor, Elisha Pullen, his bonus daughter, Evonda Wiley, and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives, and friends. Friends may call Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at Green Memorial Church of God in Christ in Sikeston, Missouri at 11:00 A.M. until the funeral hour of 12:00 noon with Elder Elisha Pullen officiating. Interment will immediately follow at the Missouri Veteran’s Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri with full military honors. The Williams Funeral Home in Sikeston is in charge of arrangements. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Sylvester Ray, please visit our flower store.