Manuel Eugene Ray

A retired BellSouth employee, he died peacefully at Slidell Memorial Hospital at 7:07 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009. He was almost 68, born in Gonzales on Feb. 15, 1941. He attended Dutchtown School from first grade to eighth grade before moving to Slidell. He was a resident of Slidell for most of his life. Funeral arrangements by Honaker Funeral Home, Gause Boulevard West (US 190), in Slidell. Family visitation at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, friends at 10 a.m., and service at 1 p.m. in the cemetery chapel. Manuel was preceded in death by his parents, Henry M. and Earlene C. Ray, of Slidell and formerly of Prairieville; and a brother, Gene E. Ray, of Prairieville. Survived by his wife of 46 years, Patricia "Patsy" Kinard-Ray; son, Cory and wife Sue; daughter, Marcella "Marci;" and two grandchildren, Craig Brunies Jr. and Sarah Ray. He is also survived by three sisters and three brothers, Jeanette Ray Kling, Dutchtown, Marie and Gary Braud, Prairieville, Lillie and James Frederic, St. Amant, Virgil and Norma Ray, and Henry Ray, all of Dutchtown, and Howard and Becky Ray, of Slidell; 23 nieces and nephews; 42 great-nieces and great-nephews; and 12 great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews. Manuel is also survived by his mother-in-law, Pearl Culligan-Skinner, of New Roads; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Joey and Stephanie Culligan, of Lacombe, and Danny and Carolyn Milazzo, of Baton Rouge; four nieces and nephews; and six great-nieces and great-nephews. Manuel was honorably discharged from the Louisiana National Guard. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a life member of AT&T Pioneers.