Mrs. Deborah Ann Powell Ray of 1013 Schley Avenue, Cordele,  Georgia passed away Friday,  October 18, 2024, at the Crisp Regional Hospital in Cordele, Georgia.

The funeral service will be held Friday, October 25, 2024 at 12:00 Noon in the Little Rock Baptist Church sanctuary in Arabi, Georgia.  The burial will follow in the churchyard cemetery.

Deborah Ray was a woman of faith, strength, and enduring love. Born on September 4, 1956, to Isaac and Bessie Mae Powell, she devoted her life to her family, community, and God. For 52 wonderful years, she was united in marriage to Spivey Ray, Jr., building a life grounded in love, trust, and partnership. Through every season of life, she embodied what it meant to be a strong and courageous woman of God.

As a stay-at-home mother for many years, she made sure her home was a place of comfort and nourishment. Every evening, there was always a meal lovingly prepared on the table, and her children knew they could count on her for unwavering support. Whether they needed her at school events or simply in the everyday moments of life, she was always present. Her presence, though often quiet, spoke volumes—though not one to outwardly express emotion, she showed her love in the most profound ways through her actions, care, and devotion.

When the time came for her to work outside the home, Deborah Ray found fulfillment in nurturing young hearts at local daycares. She brought her natural warmth, patience, and wisdom to the children in her care, leaving a lasting impact on many families.

Family was at the heart of everything she did. She cherished conversations with her loved ones, often calling to talk about the weather or catch up on the little things that made life beautiful. The joy of her grandkids' visits lit up her life, and she never missed an opportunity to welcome them with love and create memories that they will carry forever.

Her faith journey was an integral part of her life, as she was a faithful member of Little Rock Baptist Church. Her belief in God shaped her values and gave her the strength to navigate life with grace and courage. She exemplified Proverbs 31:25 — "Strength and honour are her clothing: And she shall rejoice in time to come."

Though she is no longer with us in body, Deborah Ray leaves behind a legacy of love, resilience, and faith. Her strength continues to inspire those who knew her, and her memory will remain forever in the hearts of her family and friends. Her life was a testament to God's grace and the power of love expressed through simple, everyday acts of care.

She will be deeply missed, but we find comfort in knowing she is now at peace with her Savior. We celebrate her life and give thanks for the years we were blessed to share with her. Though the world feels a bit dimmer without her, we take solace in the promise of eternal life and the hope of reuniting with her one day in heaven.  Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her children, Carol Clemmons and Spivey Ray, III.

Her love will forever remain in our hearts, and her legacy of faith will live on through the lives she touched, her husband,  Spivey Ray, Jr. of Cordele, Georgia; her children, Pamela (Laberton) Sims of Tifton, Georgia, Victoria Ray of Cordele, Georgia,  Spivey Terrell (Lativias) Ray of Tifton, Georgia, Christina Royal and Marcus Gee both of Cordele, Georgia, and Jennifer Ray of Macon, Georgia; her beloved grandchildren, Laberton Sims, Jr, Julius Sims, Aleshanne Sims, Majesty Clemmons, Angel Clemmons, Jaylen Royal, Chanel Royal, Clarity Royal, Terisha Ray, Fendi Ray, Damontae Ray, Camron Ray, Ava Smith, Daizha Brown, Ahdarrious Gee, Carlton Gee, and Damayah Gee; her loving siblings, Brenda (Leonard) Ray, Priscilla Felton, and  Bessie P. Slay all of Cordele, Georgia,  John Powell of Las Vegas, Nevada and Charlie (Joyce) Powell of Columbus, Georgia; her nieces and nephews, Valerie Mickens, Kimberly Anderson, Christy Anderson, Brent Powell, Christopher Stern, Christian Powell, and Matthew Kerrane; her in-laws, Leonard (Vieliene) Ray, Robert (Brenda) Ray, Neal (Ernestine) Ray, and Levi (Willa) Bell; a host of cousins, other relatives and many sorrowing friends.