Samuel Ray Fooshee, born October 16, 1944 in New Albany Mississippi passed into his Heavenly home on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2023 at the age of 79. Ray was born in Union County to Mary Alice Carter Fooshee and Samuel Ralph Fooshee (both deceased). Ray told many stories of growing up in a cotton patch in North Mississippi, picking a bail of cotton a day with the help of his grandmother and two cousins, Barbara and Brenda. He said they would be finished early enough to go hunting or fishing. He graduated second in his High School class and prided himself as a “Hotty Toddy” Ole Miss Rebel holding a BS and Master’s Degree from the University of Mississippi. Ray, as lifetime Alumni Association Member acquired a household amount of Ole Miss memories and memorabilia.
Ray was recruited to the Duval County School System in Jacksonville, FL in 1966 and taught Physical Education, Driver Education and coached Basketball there for 36 years. Many stories about the adventures of his teaching days followed. He owned a driving school for several years and was ask to be a local community school principal but elected otherwise due to wanting to spend more time with family. Family was important so most school vacation trips were made to Miami, Naples, FL, North Mississippi and Louisiana.
Ray was a member of Neptune Baptist Church since 1968. He enjoyed taking part in many mission related activities and Wednesday night Bible Study. He served as a Mason for over 50 years and recently received his 50 year service pin in Shriners International. He promoted the brotherhood, love of God and Country and the Shriners Hospitals for Children. He was an Ambassador, 40 years as a drummer in the Oriental Band and helped plan many local (Morocco), state and international Shrine activities.
Ray married his loving wife Carolynne “Lynne” Knight Fooshee on Aug. 19, l967, a marriage of 56 years until his death. He leaves two children; Mark Fooshee and Susan Fooshee Taylor (Kenny); grandchildren, Michael (deceased), Matthew, Kellen and Kingston; brothers, Don Fooshee (deceased) and Larry (Sharon); Stepsisters, Sue Haney (and family) and Kay Nichols (Mickey) and family; stepbrother, Buddy Hill (Shirley) and family and numerous relatives and friends.
His love for The Lord, family, friends, hunting, fishing, gardening and story telling that brought smiles and laughter to many will be Ray’s legacy.
A service celebrating his homegoing will be held at 2 PM in the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel at the Holland Funeral Directors- Tupelo, MS. with visitation from Noon-service time. A family committal service will follow in Ingomar Cemetery. An additional Memorial Service will be held at Neptune Baptist Church, Neptune Beach, FL. on Saturday, December 16th at 3PM. For those unable to attend Saturday, the service may be viewed at www.hollandfuneraldirectors.com/Live-streaming at 2 PM and will be archived afterwards.
Memorials may be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital, 2900 N. Rocky Pint Drive, Tampa, Fla. 33607. Condolences may be emailed to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net.
Holland-Tupelo Chapel is honored to be serving their friends.
