Jarrell Sidney Ray

Jarrell Sidney Ray, 85, of Baker County, GA, passed away on November 18, 2023 at Willson Hospice House. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at 2:00 pm at The Arlington Methodist Church. Rev. Charles Puryear will officiate. A private interment will follow at Christ Methodist Church Cemetery.

Jarrell was born at home on his family's farm in Baker County, GA, on February 16,1938, to Callie Mae and Charles Ray. Growing up in the Baker County community, he graduated from Arlington High School in 1955. He was a Bulldog through and through and proudly graduated from The University of Georgia in 1959 with a degree in agronomy and animal science. It was there that he fell in love with his college sweetheart, and future wife, Sylvia Odum. Marrying in 1959, they enjoyed 64 years of a beautiful home, a devoted partnership, and complete joy in raising their two sons. Early in their marriage, he worked with Sylvia's father, who owned the Chrysler-Dodge Dealership in Monroe, GA. In 1971, he returned to his life's calling and passion in Baker County to assume running operations for their family farm. He enjoyed his career of almost fifty years, and his love of their farmland, family, quail hunting, and nature continue on into the seventh generation of the Ray family farm today.

Jarrell was beloved as a son, brother, husband, uncle, grandfather (Pappy), great-grandfather, and friend. To know him was to appreciate and value his honesty. Well-known for this quality, he believed that a man's word was his bond and that there was power and meaning in a handshake. He was a real-life MacGyver as he held scientific resourcefulness to solve any problem using materials on hand. He was proficient in carpentry, building, engineering, electrical engineering, and the lengthy list of skills spans longer. Rooted in love of land, his career served people, places, and the planet.

Jarrell was a member of Christ Methodist Church in Baker County and practiced his faith daily. His legacy to his family is that they knew he loved them fiercely. They witnessed firsthand his work ethic, honesty, gentle spirit, quick wit, and kindness. Memories made through years of quail hunting, crappie fishing, and delicious family suppers are cherished reminders of his looming presence in their lives.

Survivors include his wife, Sylvia Odum Ray of Baker County, GA, his children, Jarrell Alan (Debbie) Ray of Georgetown, GA and Todd Sidney (Lauren) Ray of Albany, GA, his sister, Jan (Tommy) Johnson of Summerville, SC, four grandchildren, Thomas Sidney Ray, Murphy Kathleen Ray of Albany, GA, Chandler Alan (Jennifer) Ray of Bainbridge, GA and Carson Walker (Michaelyn) Ray of Arlington, GA and his great-grandchildren, Charlie Ray and Carter Ray.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm before the service in the sanctuary of Arlington Methodist Church.

Those desiring may make memorials in memory of Jarrell to Christ Methodist Church (84 Maxwell Street, Arlington, GA 39813) or Willson Hospice House 320 Foundation Lane, Albany, GA, 31707.