Joe B. Ray

Joe B. Ray, 89, of Roebuck, South Carolina entered Heaven’s Gates and into the arms of his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

Joe was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the son of the late Sankey “Dortch” Ray and the late Sarah Vandiver Ray. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Olivia Jane Rush Ray.

Joe was a 28-year veteran in the United States Navy and retired as a Chief Petty Officer. He also had a career in residential construction and real estate.

Though his Navy career took him all over the world, what he truly enjoyed most was spending quiet time at home with his family. He was tough and funny and tender-hearted with a weakness for stray cats. The old classics of country music and western movies were his favorite form of entertainment. He had a repertoire of “dad-isms” that his family will repeat for years to come. His most popular saying being, “don’t sweat the small stuff…and it’s all small stuff.”

He was a loving and generous husband, father, and grandfather. Left to cherish wonderful memories of Joe is his family - beloved wife and best friend, Ann Stone Brown Ray; his daughters, Vickie Ray Fowler, Jennifer Ray Ingle (Brad), Amanda Ray Budak; stepdaughter, Leigh Taylor; grandchildren, Joe Fowler, Jake Fowler, Glenna Jane Thomas, Olivia Jane Budak; and step grandchildren, Suzanne Taylor and Hannah Taylor.

The family will receive friends between 10:30 – 11:45 am on Friday, May 23, 2025, at Floyd Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29307. Following visitation, a graveside service to honor his life will be held at 12:00 PM in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens with military honors.

The arrangements are entrusted into the care of Floyd Green lawn Chapel.