Jerry Baxter Ray

Jerry Baxter Ray, Sr. , age 79, died February 19, 2020 at Vero Health and Rehab in Sylva, NC. He was born May 5, 1940, in Robbins, NC, the third son of Eddie Clarence and Beulah Copeland Ray. Jerry developed his carpentry skills working beside his father and grew those skills into a lifetime of construction and building. As a young man and before settling down in Atlanta,Georgia, Jerry was an adventurer. He traveled north, working in the fast food restaurants of the day and out west, where he was a sawmill worker in the Rocky Mountains. It was there he met his wife of almost 56 years, Gladys Steele Ray. Jerry and Gladys eventually moved back to Sylva where Gladys grew up, to live in retirement. In addition to his wife, Jerry is survived by three sons, Jay Aiken of Macon, Ga, Robert Wayne Aiken and wife Sarah, of Mountain City, Ga, and Jerry Baxter Ray, Jr. Of Atlanta, Ga., brothers Elbert Ray of Robbins, NC, Harold Ray of Seagrove, NC, sister Linda Ray Winslow of Jamestown, NC, nine grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, one great great grandchild, three step grand children, and five step great grandchildren. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Jerry’s hero was John Wayne and in the words of his Granddaughter Morgan “yes, we’ll keep reminding everyone how important John Wayne is.” A memorial service to celebrate Jerry’s life will be held at a later date Please make donations in honor of Jerry to the cause dearest to your heart. Appalachian Funeral Services and Cremation is serving the family