It is with regret, Raymond Earl Steelman of Fayetteville, Tennessee, age 60, passed suddenly from this life at his residence on Tuesday, November 5th, 2019. Mr. Steelman was born in Fayetteville Tennessee on January 20, 1959. He was a 1977 Graduate of Moore County High School and the University of Tennessee with a degree in Human Resources and Human Ecology and was a member of the Baptist Church.
Ray is survived by his loving wife, Pamela Parsley Steelman whom he adored and was the love of his life; son, Brice (Kelly) Steelman; daughter, Samatha Steelman; grandchildren, Josie, Porter, Emily, Kuper and Sawyer; aunts, Louise Steelman Cox, Nancy ( King) Dixon; and loving Father-in-Law and Mother-In-Law, Joe and Gay Parsley of Fayetteville who adored and respected him for the fine honorable man he was. In addition, he is survived by a host of cousins and his beloved pets, Maggie and Calvin Coolidge.
Ray was President of Spirits of Tennessee / Jackson Morgan, a new company start-up in 2013 where he was instrumental in the development and implementation of a partnership. He is well known for his 40 years of brilliance in the liquor industry formulating and developing a host of new brands including his latest Jackson Morgan liquor products which is now in 37 states and opening more territory in the western part of the country. He worked tirelessly ensuring the development and growth of the company and enjoyed every aspect of the business. Ray was admired and respected by his colleagues, business associates, and had a major customer base all across the United States in the industry. All who knew him spoke of his honorable character; his word was his bond and he could be counted on to get the job done with honesty and integrity in all business dealings as well as personal relationships with friends and family. He will be missed by all who knew him in the industry.
He was a soft spoken gentleman and a true patriot for love of his country. He loved farming, golfing, business development, mentoring of employees, friendships and family. He was always proud and thankful to have been an Eagle Scout in his formative years. He so looked forward to farming with his son and grandsons on his 4th generational farms in Lynchburg, Moore County, Tennessee.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Morgan and Verna Brandon Steelman of Lynchburg, TN.
Funeral service for Mr. Steelman will be conducted at 2 PM on Friday, November 8, 2019, at Higgins Funeral Home with Bro. Dwight Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Booneville Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be held at 5 PM until 8 PM on Thursday, November 7, 2019, at Higgins Funeral Home.
