Ray Russell Cartwright

Obituary Ray Russell Cartwright was born on November 1, 1939, to the union of Anthony Cartwright and Jolly Yancy. He was the youngest of eight living children. He attended Pain Elementary School in Macon, Tennessee and forwent further formal education to work the family farmland. Ray is preceded in death by both parents, brother James and sisters: Julia Swift, Mattie Youngblood, and Catherine Byers. He was also preceded in death by Eleanor Green and Bertha to whom he had married. Ray has always been an avid fisherman, and his love and passion for that is what fueled his ministry of feeding people. He also enjoyed hunting as a young boy. He owned and was very passionate about cars, he was especially fond of Cadillacs. Ray moved to Kansas City in 1954. He worked and held several jobs. He worked for Burberry Ford, before joining the General Motors Company, where he was working when he decided to step-out on faith to open his first fish market/restaurant located at 67th and Swope Parkway. His love for food and people, afforded him several establishments that were comparable to a home environment according to many of his customers, families, friends and strangers alike. Ray loved the Lord and attended several churches in the Kansas City, area. He was a Deacon at Emmanuel Baptist Church under the Pastoral care of Rev. White. He also attended and was a member of the Metropolitan Spiritual Church of Christ under the leadership of Bishop James Tindall, Sr. where he was a member of the Men’s Department and where he shared his last worship service just weeks prior to his passing. He also had fellowship with Rev. Modest Miles and the Morning Star Baptist Church. Ray has left loving memories with his sons Ray “Hakeem Arafat,” Todd (Sharon) Griddine; daughter Lynette Crawford; eight grandchildren; one great grandchild; brother W.C. Cartwright, Sr; sisters Minister Evelyn Cartwright of Chicago, IL; Jeanette Holt of Harvey, IL; special friends: Betty Byers, Johnny Ray, Joe Odum and Dr. M. Vance; Special birthday niece Rev. LaDonna Cartwright and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins other relatives and friends. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church 2411 East 27th, Street KCMO. Visitation 9:00 A.M. Private disposition. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ray Russell Cartwright, please visit our floral store. Read More

Ray Russell Cartwright

November 1, 1939 - February 16, 2019