James Halbert “Jimmie” Ray, Jr., 81, passed away Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. He was born November 21, 1942, in Tupelo to James Halbert and Willie Zora Cox Ray. He graduated from Mississippi State University in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He served 20 years in the U.S. Army as a Huey helicopter pilot. He served during the Vietnam War where he received a number of medals, including the Bronze Star with Valor, Vietnam Service Medal with 6 stars, and Air Medal with Valor. Jimmie was a member of Bethel Baptist Church where he enjoyed going on mission trips with the church. He loved nature and his animals, and enjoyed camping and cooking.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at the McNeece-Morris Funeral Home Chapel in Mantachie. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery.
Survivors include one son, James. H. “Tripp” Ray III of Madison; one daughter, Suzanne Berry (Rob) of Madison; one step-daughter, Elizabeth “Beth” Walls (Wayne) of Amory; 8 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Joyce Rayburn Ray; and his parents.
Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time Saturday at the McNeece-Morris Funeral Home in Mantachie
