Paul Ray

Paul James Ray, Jr. age 81, of Blue Ridge, passed away Friday, February 25, 2022, in Blue Ridge.

Mr. Ray was born February 10, 1941, in Morganton, to the late Paul James Ray Sr., and the late Bessie Smith Ray. He was preceded in death by his niece, Michelle Ball. Paul loved bluegrass music, fishing, hunting and building guitars.

Survivors include wife, Nellie Ray; son, James Marty Ray; daughter, Paula (John) Culver; brother, Samuel (Mary) Ray; sisters, Madelyn Zimmerman and Carolyn Shields; grandchildren, Andrew (Michaela) Helton and Kadie (Dustin) Lee; great-grandchildren, Teagan Lee and C. J. Norton.

Funeral services are Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at 2 p.m. at the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home, of Blue Ridge, with John Culver officiating. Interment will follow in Chastain Memorial Park Cemetery. Pallbearers are Shannon Gray, Jacob Gray, Jeff Shields, Scott DeCosta, Rick Tipton, Jamie Tipton and Mike Kendall.

The family will receive friends at the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home, of Blue Ridge, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, from noon until 2 p.m.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home, of Blue Ridge.

Send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.