Needham Lawrence Ray

Mr. Needham Lawrence Ray, 80, of 507 South Elm Ave., Dunn, passed away Sunday, July 31, 2022. 

Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents- Needham James Ray and Rosa Williams Ray; five siblings- Carolyn Ray Dawson, Glenn Ray, Stanley Ray, Wanda Ray Williams and David Ray; sister-in-law- Gilda Ray.

At an early age he enlisted to the US Army in 1964.  After his honorable service, he left his family home once again and moved to Brooklyn, New York. Lawrence worked as a master locksmith and maintenance worker for the Drake Hotel and later the NYC Housing Authority.  “Arthur” too soon prevented his daily work outside the home, so he used his skills to manage his own home and later other rental properties after returning to his beloved North Carolina in 2005. Lawrence would often tell of being saved at the tender age of six and was proud to claim Mt Zion Missionary Baptist Church as his final church home.

Left to cherish his memories, his wife,  of  46 years- Olivia; one daughter- Ronya Ray Bracey (Roy); two grandchildren-  Diamond and Devin; five siblings- Eva Ray, Joseph Ray, Larry Ray (Barbara), Dwight Ray (Frances) and Ann Bell; one aunt- Geneva Grayson; two brothers-in-law- James Dawson and Hubert Williams; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

Public viewing will be held at Dafford Funeral Home- Dunn, Monday, August 8, 2022, 2PM-5PM. Masks  are required.

Funeral Service will be held at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Dunn, Tuesday, August 9, 2022 @ 12PM, following the guidelines of the church for entrance and capacity.

Burial will follow at the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, Dunn.

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