Our Ray Ray

My grandparents – Evelene “Effie” & Ray “Ray-Ray”

My mom is in the middle.

With three of my sisters and my cousin – I’m on the right.

Baby Wheeler

Little Effie with Effie

The Effies

Baby Logan

Baby Vaughn

It’s with a heavy heart to share with y’all that my last surviving grandparent passed away.  Ray Ray lived and thrived until the age of almost 93!  He could tell jokes that had everyone laughing, made the world’s best cheese straws up until the week he passed, didn’t miss an episode of Jeopardy, was the best neighbor and friend and loved my grandmother Effie with his whole being.  He was the truest example of a fatherly figure to my mother and her two sisters and brother.  It was only fitting that he’d pass around Father’s Day.  He protected our country during WWII in the Navy, later becoming the manager of the Spartanburg Herald-Journal.  He was an avid golfer for most of his life until two knee replacements changed that.  But even with that and a pacemaker, it never slowed him down.  He was thoughtful and caring and would still call each and everyone of his grandchildren, even his great grandchildren on their birthdays.  Many of those voicemails I have saved and keep playing them back just to hear his voice again.

I’m trying to imagine what he’s doing up in heaven now.  Playing a round of golf with his buddies I suppose, sharing war stories with his Navy comrades, rivaling Ken Jennings on Jeopardy, grinning ear to ear and elated to finally be reunited with his Effie by his side.  She was always his world.  I can only hope that I’m blessed enough to live that long, but even that much time that we had him here still doesn’t make it easier.  I still can’t believe he’s gone.  Ray Ray will be forever loved and missed!  All of my children will miss him so dearly, especially his “Little Effie.”

5 thoughts on “Our Ray Ray

  1. I am so sorry for your loss. My almost 93 year old Aunt passed around the same time. She had just planted her garden for the summer. And still driving! We can only hope we are still that active at that age. Blessings to you and your family.

  2. Oh such special photos and memories. Thank you for sharing. His memory lives on in all of you.

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