G. Raymond Bodie Jr.

G. Raymond Bodie Jr. BOGART, Ga. - G. Raymond Bodie Jr., 80, passed away at his home in Bogart, Monday, Oct. 25, 2010. Ray was born in Augusta, Ga., March 6, 1930, to Gary Raymond Bodie Sr. (deceased) and Ellen Quarles Bodie (deceased). He received a B.A. degree from Furman University, an M.A. degree in Theology from Emory University, and did post-graduate work at Boston University. Ray served as a Methodist minister for 25 years at the following churches: Salem/McBee (Greenville, S.C.), Lake Shore Park Methodist Church (Lynn, Mass.), founding pastor of St. John's UMC (Norfolk), Graham Road UMC (Falls Church, Va.), Annandale UMC (Annandale, Va.), and Aldersgate UMC (Hampton, Va.). After taking early retirement from the Virginia United Methodist Conference, Ray went on to a second career as a real estate broker and investor in Hampton, where he owned and operated Peninsula Homes Inc., served as chairman of the board for low income housing; actively participated in the development of Great Oak Apartments for the Elderly in Newport News, along with the Assisted Housing Development, and the Newport News Homeowner's Association. After retiring in Bogart, Ray began his third career as a full-time grandfather to 43 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Ray was preceded in death by his sister, Jean Louise Bodie, and his daughter, Ellen Bodie Dennard Ellis. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Martha Ellen Bailey Bodie; his brother, Carl E. Bodie (Faye), Apopka, Fla.; his daughter, Cindy Bodie, Bogart; and his sons, Gary Raymond Bodie III, (Mary) Hampton, and James Clayton Bodie, Tallahassee, Fla. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. At his request, his body is being donated to the Medical College of Georgia for medical research. A celebration of the life of G. Raymond Bodie Jr. will be held at Watkinsville First United Methodist Church Saturday, Oct. 30 at 1 p.m. Visitation and a reception at the church will follow the service. Memorials may be made to the building fund at Watkinsville First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 87, Watkinsville, GA 30677, Habitat for Humanity, 121 Habitat St., Americus GA 31709, Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 811 W. Evergreen Ave., Ste. 303, Chicago, IL 60642, or to a charity of your choice. Condolences to the family may be emailed to marthabodie@ gmail.com.