Supt. Robert Ray,Sr.

Superintendent Emeritus Robert L. Ray, Sr was born July 3, 1944, in Blytheville, Arkansas to the parentage of Mr. Abraham Ray and Mrs. Carrie Lee Gallaspy Ray. He received his formative education through the Blytheville School System and graduated from Harrison High School in Blytheville, Arkansas in 1963. In 1959, Robert Ray’s father passed away when he was 15 years old. This life change caused him and his brothers to put their education aside and work various jobs to help his two sisters receive their education. Given his desire for higher learning, Superintendent Ray attended the University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff. Unfortunately, that pursuit was cut short when he was drafted into the US Army in 1966. While serving, Robert quickly moved up the ranks from Private to Sergeant within 2 years. His service included tours overseas to Germany and Berlin during the Vietnam War. As a decorated veteran, he received various honors and awards to include the Army Occupation Medal and the National Defense Service Medal (Berlin), commemorating his service before being honorably discharged in 1968. While he was stationed at Fort Hood, he attended a church service in Killeen, TX where he fell in love with a beautiful young songstress with a powerful voice. He married the lovely Elizabeth Seahorn and God blessed their union with four sons and two daughters. Soon after their marriage, Superintendent Ray began working for Cake Box Bakery as a specialized Baker and Cake Decorator. He served as a Bakery Consultant for various companies such as Walmart and McLain’s Bakery for over 40 years until he retired in 2009. Superintendent Ray was saved at a young age and was ordained an Elder in the Church of God in Christ by the late Bishop E. Harris Moore. He served Barker Temple COGIC as an Associate Pastor, served the VM Barker Heritage District as a prayer leader and served the Missouri Western Jurisdiction as State Secretary. In 2001, Superintendent Ray founded the Power House COGIC, where he dedicated his time to his church and community for over 15 years. In 2008, the late Bishop W.B. Henderson appointed him as the District Superintendent of the Outreach District where he covered several churches in Kansas City and Harrisonville, Missouri. Superintendent Ray was a man of faith who loved God, loved God’s people and loved The Church. Regardless of the challenges he faced, he always displayed a positive disposition and had a contagious sense of humor. He lived a life of prayer and remained steadfast in his faith in God until the day of his glorious promotion. Superintendent Robert Ray was preceded in death by his parents Abraham and Carrie Lee Ray, his sister Emma Lee Ray Tipps, and his brother Frank Ray. He leaves to cherish his memories his wife of 56 years, Elizabeth Ray; his sons Robert, Jr. of Lee’s Summit, MO, Mark of Olathe, KS, Derrick of Blue Springs, MO and James of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; , two daughters, Carolyn Henderson of Kansas City, MO and Joanna Ray of Virginia Beach, VA; three brothers, David, Richard and George Ray; one sister, Carrie Burkett; twelve grandchildren; two god-grandsons; one great-grandson; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Funeral services Saturday, October 19, at 11:00am at Barker Memorial Cathedral of Praise COGIC. Interment Forest Hill Cemetery. Visitation 9:00am-11:00am at the church. Services conducted by Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be shared on our website.

Supt. Robert Ray,Sr.

July 3, 1944 - October 14, 2024