Mr. Charles L. Ray, Jr.November 23, 1935-March 5, 2013

Sunday, March 10, 2013Two O’Clock in the Afternoon

Union Chapel Missionary Baptist ChurchHuntsville, Alabama

- Pastor and Officiating Minister -Dr. O. Wendell Davis

Honoring the Life and Legacy of a Humanitarian

Charles L. Ray, Jr.November 23, 1935 - March 5, 2013

In so many ways, the life of Charles L. Ray, Jr., epitomized the evolution, success and ultimate admiration of the yellow rose. When the yellow rose was found growing naturally in certain regions of the Middle East back in the 1700s, it was a new kid on the block, as far as the extensive history of roses is concerned. Also, because it was different from other roses in appearance and even aroma, it was isolated and fell short of its true potential.

As a young man, Charles L. Ray, Jr., was definitely the rose in his mother’s eye. No doubt, when he was still in the womb, she possessed myriad plans for the newborn that envisioned a full life of successes despite trying times that were definitely no bed of roses. However, his mother died when he was only two weeks old. Similarly, the yellow rose, too, embodied the full potential and beauty and splendor of all other roses. Yet, its inner and outer beauty was not realized until special people with vision saw that beauty and made true efforts to bring it out.

For Ray, the task and joy of nurturing him fell to his maternal grandparents. They were individuals who saw in the babe both a duty and a beauty. Like the true masters of the yellow rose, they diligently worked throughout the early years of this precious and delicate being, nurturing it with love, inspiring it with confidence, providing the sunshine of their understanding of the world, and imbuing within it every single element necessary that would allow it to compete throughout the globe according to its gifts.

Although the yellow rose had all the beauty—some would argue even more—that its rivals possessed, there were still a few qualities that were lacking and which could only be achieved through proper cultivation. In similar ways, Ray’s outlook easily could have been stymied by the sad return to the Dark Ages represented by the segregation era of the American South. But fortunately, great institutions, working within the framework laid out for them, set Ray on a course to success that would prevail over the stark conditions of the period and propel him to a sunlit future.

Although his dreams for the medical profession via Morehouse College were interrupted by military service, his stint at Alabama A&M University set him back on the path to his dreams. With earnest cultivation, love and appreciation for its inner beauty, the yellow rose was transformed into one of the most sought-after flowers in the world. As such, it is revered as a shining and universal symbol of friendship, joy and well-being.

Thus, throughout his life, Charles L. Ray, Jr., has embodied a ray of sunshine that, like the yellow rose, brings about warmth and contentment, basted in his certain, sustained wisdom and power. His life expressed a love of others, of self, a pride in the African-American experience, along with its globally unique history and perseverance. Amid the yellow sunshine, he rose as a man of vision, of stature, willing to lead, to decide, to give generously and to fiercely take life in on his own terms.

- Jerome Saintjones March 10, 2013

The Man and the Yellow Rose

O bituary

A Powerful Performance

All the world’s a stage,and all the men and women merely players;They have their exits and their entrances;

And one man in his time plays many parts … - William Shakespeare

Charles L. Ray, Jr., son of the late Inella Bragg Ray and Charles Ray, Sr., entered the world on November 23, 1935, at Huntsville, Alabama. Following the passing of his mother a few days after his birth, Will and Edna Bragg, his maternal grandparents, reared him. Their teaching and discipline prompted his character development. Their guidance undergirded his achievements.

His formative years were dress rehearsals for the multiple parts he would play in later life. His early training began in the Madison County School System and culminated when he finished Councill Training School as class president and salutatorian in 1953. That milestone revealed his leadership abilities and confirmed his keen intelligence. It also led to new scenes: enrollment at Morehouse College and a three-and-a-half year tour of duty in the United States Army. He spent three of those years in Kaiserslautern, Germany, before being honorably discharged in 1957. Returning to Huntsville, he enrolled at Alabama A&M College (now University) and earned the Bachelor of Science degree in history and English education. Later, he earned the Master of Science degree in urban studies from Alabama A&M University and the Associate of Science degree in mortuary science from Jefferson State Community College.

Armed with his teaching certificate, Charles became a professional educator, but he left the teaching profession in 1965 to become assistant director of the Huntsville/Madison County Community Action Committee (CAC). Later, he was promoted to executive director of CAC. Although his vitality and propensity for multitasking were not to be contained in the classroom, he never lost his inclination to teach. He best demonstrated his attraction to education by the many Black History Month programs he spearheaded while employed on the Commanding General’s civilian staff at the U.S. Army Missile Command. He also demonstrated it by the numerous African American speakers he brought to the city, including Dick Gregory, Julian Bond, Joseph Lowery, C.T. Vivian, Andrew Young and scores of others.

Charles was a model employee in the government sector. Transitioning from CAC, he assumed the role of special staff officer to the Commanding General of Safeguard Logistics Command before joining the General’s civilian staff at the U.S. Army Missile Command (MICOM) as the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer. In each position, he excelled because he interpreted his part, engaged in effective dialogue and purposeful action. Simultaneously, he was a successful entrepreneur as president and owner of Nelms Memorial Funeral Home. He retired from MICOM in 2005, but the dramatic impact of his performance lingers on.

Educator, model employee, and successful entrepreneur, Charles played many parts in his career, but his performance as a community volunteer is also commendable. His community involvement extends back to the Civil Rights era, when he served as chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.

He served on the Redstone Village Board of Directors, the Huntsville/Madison County Railroad Authority and the Board of Directors for the Harris Home for Children. At various times, he was chairman of the Boards of Directors of the Huntsville/Madison County Manpower Planning Commission, the Huntsville Human Relations Commission, and Interfaith Mission Services.

He made a most profound imprint on the Redstone Federal Credit Union. Appointed to the Credit Union Advisory Committee in 1977, he was elected Chairman of the Board in 1983, a position he held for twenty-eight years. Under his leadership, facilities were expanded and superior financial services were accessible to more than 326,000 members. Today, Redstone Federal Credit Union is the largest member-owned financial institution in Alabama and among the largest credit unions in the nation, with more than $2.8 billion in assets. The admonition of his grandparents echoes through his many success stories: “Always do your best in everything you undertake.”

Equal to his business acumen was his generosity, which was reminiscent of Luke 12:48: “Unto whom much is given, much is required.” He was indeed a humanitarian. Throughout the community, individuals attest to his giving spirit. He provided financial assistance to families needing it, and supported fundraising initiatives of professional and civic organizations, as well as those at Alabama A&M University. He helped churches purchase vans and provided free limousine service for special guests throughout the city.

For his service to humanity he received scores of plaques, citations, resolutions and proclamations. Among his most recent honors are: induction into the Defense Credit Union Council’s Hall of Fame, 2010; induction into the Huntsville/Madison County Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Hall of Fame, 2009; and honoree of the Rosetta James Foundation “Honoring Our Elders” program, 2008.

A longtime member of the Board of Trustees at Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, he helped acquire the land to build the current edifice and established the Charles L. Ray, Jr. Endowed Scholarship for academically talented and disadvantaged students. On May 17, 2011, his church named its beautiful Family Life Center in his honor in recognition of his six-figure gift to the Union Chapel Christian Academy in 2010. The community applauds the final earthly performance of this educator, model employee, community volunteer, humanitarian and philanthropist who left the stage of life on March 5, 2013. To God be the glory for such a powerful performance.

In addition to his parents and his maternal grandparents, his stepmother, Stella Ray, and his paternal grandparents, Robert and Lizzie Bolden Ray, also predeceased him. His survivors (all of Huntsville, Alabama) include his wife, Willie Mae Copeland Ray; his daughter Terri Lynn Ray; three sisters, Janice, Carolyn and Cheryl Ray; one brother, Carl Ray; two sisters-in-law, Eleanor Copeland Roper and Odelle Copeland Banks; one brother-in-law, James Paul Copeland; and a host of other relatives and friends.

“For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.” - Deuteronomy 15:11

O rder of ServiceMusical Prelude …………….................…………......................……….…...… Musicians

Union Chapel Missionary Baptist ChurchHuntsville, Alabama

Processional …………………….......................................……………...…….. MusiciansUnion Chapel Missionary Baptist Church

Song ….............................................. “Oh To Be Kept” …..……........……….Unity ChoirT. Frazier Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church

Opening Prayer ……………………………………………… Dr. Henry Bradford, Jr. Pastor Emeritus

Church Street Cumberland Presbyterian Church Huntsville, Alabama

Scripture Reading

Old Testament ………………………… Dr. Oscar L. Montgomery, Sr. Pastor

Union Hill Primitive Baptist Church Huntsville, Alabama

New Testament …………………………………… Minister Vince Gosa Congregational Care Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church Words of Comfort ................................................................................... Rev. Earla Lockhart

Staff Minister, Congregational CareFirst Missionary Baptist Church

Huntsville, Alabama

Musical Tribute …….......……. Medley of Songs …....………...…….. Alpha Ensemble Huntsville, Alabama

Honoring the Life and Legacy of a Humanitarian

Video Presentation of Tributes ………………………………… Mr. Roderick Johnson Videographer

Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church

As a Classmate, Councill Training School Dr. Mattie D. Thomas As Colleague, Brownsboro Junior High School and Longtime Friend Mr. T. David Freeman As a Student, Brownsboro Junior High School Mrs. Carolyn Parker As the Chairman, Board of Directors, Redstone Federal Credit Union Mr. Joe Newberry As a Supervisor and Mentor, EEO Officer U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command Ms. Kate Love As a Member, Board of Directors, Human Relations Commission Dr. John Herndon As a Friend, Colleague and Church Member LTC (Ret) James Lorder Resolution …………………………………………………………. Ms. Johnnie Clift Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church Solo ……...………........…. “Precious Lord” ……...........… Mrs. Monica Phipps Stewart T. Dorsey Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church Eulogy ……………………………..………………………….. Dr. O. Wendell Davis Pastor, Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church Closing Prayer ………………………………………………………….. Dr. John Clay Pastor, St. Mark Primitive Baptist Church Huntsville, Alabama

Mortician …………………………………………… Nelms Memorial Funeral Home Huntsville, Alabama

Recessional ............................. “Goin’ Up Yonder” ................................ Unity ChoirW. Hawkins Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church

Active PallbearersFormer and Present Employees, Nelms Memorial Funeral Home

Honorary PallbearersClass of 1953, Councill Training School

Mr. Damon KielNational, State & District Morticians, Funeral Directors & Employees

Smith Grand Council A.A.S.R. Masons

Active Flower BearersFormer and Present Employees, Nelms Memorial Funeral Home

Honorary Flower BearersClass of 1953, Councill Training School

National, State & District Morticians, Funeral Directors & Employees

IntermentValhalla Memory Gardens

700 Winchester RoadHuntsville, AL 35811

Expressions of GratitudeThe family of Charles L. Ray, Jr. acknowledges with grateful appreciation the many acts of kindness extended during

the illness and passing of their loved one. May God’s richest blessing be with each of you. Special thanks to Mrs. Elizabeth Sloan-Ragland, Mr. Michael Morns and the Telecommunications Center at

Alabama A&M University for the production of the video presentation of tributes.

DonationsIndividuals desiring to honor the memory and legacy of the late Charles L. Ray, Jr.,

please send contributions to the Charles L. Ray, Jr. Endowed Scholarship, Union Chapel Christian Academy Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 122, Huntsville, AL 35804.

Funeral Arrangements Entrusted to:

Nelms Memorial Funeral Home2501 Carmichael Avenue, NW

Huntsville, AL 35816256-539-8189

Website: www.nelmsmemorial.net “We cannot erase the sting of death, but we can make it easier.”