Mr. James Ray, Jr., 84 of Charlotte, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 21, 2021 at his residence.

If you asked 1,000 people who James aka "Baby Ray" was, they would all give you a different story.  A secret agent, a superhero, a great dancer, a professional driver, bus driver, chauffer, comedian and the list goes on.  Baby Ray was none of these things, but perhaps he was all of them.  What he was, was a great story teller, father, grandfather and friend.  He was always telling stories; it didn't matter if he was entertaining a crowd or telling stories to his family.  It's no surprise that he was featured as the hero in most of his stories.

Baby Ray attended DuBois High School in Mount Hope, WV.  He did not receive his high school diploma, but eventually received his GED.  He did a short stint in the Navy.  He worked for the U.S. Post Office, and eventually became a bus driver in New York City, where he retired.  After retirement, he relocated to Charlotte, NC and worked as a driver for UPS until he fell ill.

Baby Ray was born on May 6, 1937 in Summerlee, West Virginia.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Priscilla Carter and James Ray, Sr.; siblings, Mary Cleveland and Charles Ray; and children, Ricardo "Ricky" Ray, Darrell Penn, James "Stuff" Ray and Brigitte Quashie.

He is survived by his spouse, Christina L. Ray;  daughters, Donna Leftwich, Doretha Ray, Patricia Fitch, Sabrina Brantley, Cassandra Brown, Alisia Hunter, Stephanie Matherson, Ingrid Ray, Priscilla Ray and Kiyiana Ray; son, Marlon Penn; 28 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, his partner, Betty Gilmore; and a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.

Anyone who knew our dad, will forever be touched by his Humor, Wit and Amazing stories.  He may have left his body, but he will never die, as long as we keep him in our hearts and minds...say his name and tell his stories.