Leslie Ray Lasater, 74, passed away on Monday, June 28, 2021. Ray was born August 28, 1946, to the late Margaret McCollum Lasater and Leslie C. Lasater in Huntsville, Alabama. On July 16, 1966, he married the love of his life, Diane Brown Lasater, with whom he spent nearly 55 years happily married. Ray was the father of three children, Elizabeth Lasater Lee, Andrea Lasater Sanderson, and Jennifer Lasater McKinney, all of whom held a special place in his heart, and he always ensured that his girls, including Diane, were at the forefront of everything he did.
Growing up in a rural area, Ray learned the importance of hard work and established a strong work ethic at an early age. He worked on a farm as early as age 11, as well as getting a job as a stock boy at Woolworth’s at age 16. After he married Diane and moved to her family’s property in Monrovia, Ray used his farm experience to help his family raise Charolais cattle. Ray worked as a computer programmer/analyst for over 20 years for a number of businesses to include UAH, CSC, General Electric, and PRI. He then worked for Intergraph in software support as well as customer training for 17 years. Upon leaving Intergraph, Ray served as a government contractor, from which he retired in 2016.
In addition, Ray served the community of Monrovia, Alabama by contributing many years of service to the schools in the area. Ray served as a school trustee at Monrovia School and was involved in the PTA at Sparkman High School. In 1992, Ray was elected to serve as district 4 school board member for the Madison County Schools. Ray represented all the schools in the Sparkman High School district for six years. While serving on the board, Ray worked tirelessly to ensure that all students in the Madison County Schools received opportunities for a high quality education as well as access to educational resources, extracurricular opportunities, and quality facilities.
Ray is survived by his wife, Diane Brown Lasater; three daughters, Elizabeth Lee, Andrea Sanderson, and Jennifer McKinney (Tyler); six grandchildren, Beth Ann Lee Minnis (Michael), Jack Sanderson, Jenna Sanderson, Tyler Sanderson, Connor Sanderson, and Mollie McKinney; one great-grandson, Jaxon Minnis; his sister, JoAnn Weathers; his nephew, Wayne Graviett (Heather); and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Margaret and Leslie C. Lasater; his son-in-law, Larry V. Lee; his niece, Frances Ann Graviett; his mother and father-in-law, Eva Stiles Brown and Gustavus N. Brown; and his brother-in-law, Mack Weathers.
The family will be receiving visitors Thursday, July 1, 2021, from 12:30-2:00 at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. A service honoring the life of Ray will begin at 2:00 pm following visitation and will be officiated by Reverend Robert Sharp. After the service, Ray will be laid to rest at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Monrovia, AL.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mount Zion Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 228 Mount Zion Road Huntsville, AL 35806.
