Donald Smith Ray

Donald Smith Ray, age 80, died May 17, 2021 at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.
He was born September 20, 1940 in Puryear, TN the son of the late Wayne and Albena Smith Ray. He graduated Puryear High School 1958 and began his career with Holley Carburetor and Goodyear Tire in Paris, TN before moving to Jackson, TN where he owned Ray’s Appliance Center. He eventually returned to the tire business retiring from Simmons Tire Company in Sheffield, AL. His favorite past times included watching Westerns, landscaping and hunting. He was a member of West Jackson Baptist Church.
Donald is survived by his wife Shirley Weaver Ray of Jackson, TN; two sons Chris Ray of Medina, TN, and Tim Ray of Mountain View, CA; one daughter Robin Shealy of Newnan, GA; one stepdaughter Dawn Whitten of Beech Bluff, TN; grandchildren Chelsea Ray, Tyler Ray, Brandon Shealy, and Ryan Shealy; daughter in-law Delores Ray; son in-law David Shealy; and step grandchildren Wesley Blankenship and Cody Freeman. He was preceded in death by two stepchildren Reggie and Todd Whitten.
SERVICES: Funeral Services will be held Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 2:00PM in the chapel of Arrington Funeral Directors. Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 12:00PM until service time at 2:00PM on Thursday.
Those serving as pallbearers will be grandchildren Tyler Ray, Brandon Shealy, Ryan Shealy, Cody Freeman, Wesley Blankenship, and caretaker Howard Stevenson.
The family has requested that any memorials be directed to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Arrington Funeral Directors 148 W. University Parkway
Jackson, TN 38305 731.668.1111 www.arringtonfuneralgroup.com