Ray Shoemake

Visitation will be 12:00-2:00pm, Thursday, May 12, 2016, at Truitt Memorial Baptist Church in Pearl. Funeral services will follow at 2:00pm at the church with interment in Floral Hills Memory Gardens.

Ray was born Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28, 1935, in Perry County, Mississippi, a son of the late Felton William Shoemake and Gladys Jewel Underwood Shoemake.

Ray was a longtime member of Truitt Memorial Baptist Church where he attended faithfully and was a church deacon. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1955 after three years of service. A retired truck driver, Ray was active throughout his career with trucker's Christian ministries, singing and delivering devotionals for many services. Ray's love for music and sharing the message of our Lord through song, was never more evident than when he sang for the residents of local nursing homes. His hobbies included playing computer games and keeping up with friends through Facebook.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Ruby Jean Thompson Shoemake; daughters, Debbie Whittington and husband Tim, and Karen Patat and husband Phil; grandchildren, Shelia Jenkins, Jenny DeLaughter, Andrew Whittington and Jessica Whittington; great-grandchildren, Ashley Jenkins, Tanner Jenkins, Jacob Rigdon, Nathan Whittington, Jayden Whittington, Jaycen Whittington, Jerrod Whittington and Samantha Whittington; great-granddaughter, Sophia Jenkins; brother, Jerry Shoemake; and sisters, Betty Nanney, Ruth Gibson, Juanece Courtney and Judy Berry.

Memorials may be made to the First Freewill Baptist Children's Home, P.O. Box 8, Eldridge, AL 35554.