Earnest Ray Weaver

Earnest Ray Weaver, known as Ray, passed away in Jacksonville, FL on May 4, 2021 at the age of 88. He was born August 1, 1932 in Holden, WV. Ray was the second of nine children of Earnest “Pete” and Opal (Mullins) Weaver. He married Remona Manns, the love of his life, on September 12, 1955.

Ray is survived by his wife, Remona Weaver; son, Rick Weaver, of Jacksonville; daughter, Rochelle (Jeff) Kemp, of Jacksonville; grandsons Shane Kemp and Todd Kemp, of Jacksonville; siblings, Brenda Lawson, of Columbus, OH, and Lloyd (Ellen) Weaver, of Jacksonville, NC; siblings-in-law Bea Weaver, Rose Weaver, and Tom Greene; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Pete and Opal Weaver; siblings, Richard Weaver, Ronnie Weaver, Betty Greene, Wendell Weaver, Joyce Hopeck and Nancy Lamp; and siblings-in-law, Kathy Weaver, Bob Hopeck, Jim Lawson and Steve Lamp.

Ray loved and played basketball while in school and also while serving in the U.S. Army. While in the Army in the 1950’s, he spent time on the Pacific island of Enewetak during the testing of atomic weapons. He also served in the Military Police. After completing his military service, he got a job at Simmons Mattress Company where he spent the rest of his career, working first in Columbus, OH and then transferring to Jacksonville, FL until retirement in the late 1990’s. Ray took up golf in his thirties and became an avid golfer for the rest of his life. After moving to Jacksonville, he became a huge fan of the Florida Gators.

Ray was a devoted husband and father. He also loved his big, extended family, and relished the opportunity of sharing stories and laughs at family reunions.