Mr. Donnie Lee Ray was a native of Wayne County being born in Waynesboro to his parents the late Mr. Will Ray and Mrs. Nannie Lee Ray on December 14, 1959. Donnie was raised on Beech Creek and attended school in Wayne County graduating with the class of 1977. In his adult years he was in various fields but mainly his occupational years were spent in construction as he supervised the third largest Insulation company in Dallas, TX, worked in construction in Virginia for several years, owned and operated Savannah Electronics in Savannah, TN and also owned and operated the Donnie Ray Construction Company also in Savannah. In the early 1990s he would meet his wife Mrs. Shelia Russell Ray and the two would marry on September 10, 1993 forever combining their lives and families. In his leisure time, he could be found cooking for his family and friends as he will be remembered as an excellent chef, grilling and watching his favorite football team the Dallas Cowboys with his grandchildren and fishing. He possessed a love for animals as he was known to “take in” stray dogs and cats and sometimes even those unconventional pets such as raccoons and opossums who needed a home but no other pet held a special place in his heart than his beloved dog “Cassie”. However he held no other moment in life closest to his heart than the moments he spent with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mr. Donnie Lee Ray passed from this life on January 20, 2026 in Columbia, TN making his stay on this earth some 66 years and 1 month.
Those left to honor his memory include his wife of 32 years Mrs. Shelia Ray of Clifton, TN; daughters Natalie McLin husband Scottie and Julie Linville husband Bryan all of Savannah, TN; grandchildren Denver Rainwater, Easton Rainwater, Scott McLin wife Savannah, Tyler McLin and Jacquline Hollaway husband Shawn all of Savannah, TN; great-grandchildren Nash, Abel, Parker, Mackinley, Addalynn and Elaine; siblings Jerry Ray wife Glenda of Waynesboro, TN, Thomas Ray wife Judy and James Ray wife Donna all of Clifton, TN; as well as many nieces, nephews and many other family members, friends and loved ones.
In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his brothers J.W. Ray and W.S. Ray; sisters Jean Warren and Brenda Hill.
Graveside Services will be held at 1:00 pm at Mt. View Cemetery in Savannah, TN on Thursday, January 22,2026
