Mr. Leonard Ray, Jr.

Mr. Leonard Ray, Jr. of 1106 McClendon Court, Cordele, Georgia, died Thursday, June 26, 2025, at his residence.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at 10:00 AM in the sanctuary of the Little Rock Baptist Church in Arabi, Georgia.  The burial will follow in the churchyard cemetery.

Leonard Ray, Jr., affectionately known as "Pepper," was born on April 25, 1965, in Crisp County, Georgia, to Leonard Ray, Sr. and Clara White Brooks.

Raised in the faith of Jehovah's Witnesses, Leonard received his education in the public schools of Crisp County. Despite his early religious upbringing, he later found a personal spiritual calling, repenting of his sins and dedicating his life to Christ Jesus.

Leonard's professional life was marked by his dedication and skill as a master welder. He was employed by Fusion Fabrication and Maintenance in Albany, Georgia, where he worked for many years, demonstrating both expertise and commitment. Beyond his career, Leonard found joy in fishing and cherished moments spent with his family.

Leonard was united in marriage to Linda Brown Ray, who sadly preceded him in death on September 30, 2011. He also faced the heartbreak of losing his granddaughter, Princess Eveie-Marie Ray, and his brother, Lyndon Baines Jones.

Leonard Ray, Jr. passed away on Thursday, June 26, 2025,    leaving behind a legacy of love and cherished memories. His family includes his beloved and caring children:  LaKeisha (Michael) Wise, Jr., Shabreka Ray, April Hope of Sylvester, Georgia, Keion Ray of Douglas, Georgia, Natasha Smith of Athens, Georgia, Kari Smith of Jacksonville, Florida, Aungelique Smith of Jacksonville, North Carolina, and Johnny Smith of Jacksonville, Florida; 16 grandchildren, two of whom he raised, Natavious Smith and Nashantis Smith of Sylvester, Georgia; his loving and devoted mother, Clara White Brooks of Cordele, Georgia; his loving and devoted father, Leonard (Brenda) Ray, Sr. of Cordele, Georgia; his loving sisters, Crystal D. Ray Clark of Perry, Georgia, Veronica Ray (Willie Sr.) Oliver of Cordele, Georgia, Victoria Ray James and Tawana Ray of Warner Robins, Georgia, Valerie Powell of Atlanta, Georgia, and Samanthea Ray of Albany, Georgia; his caring brothers, Tyrone (Christopher Elaine) Ray of Albany, Georgia and James C. Ray of Cordele, Georgia; his aunts and uncles, Willa (Levi) Bell of Jacksonville, Florida, Neal (Ernestine) Ray of Warwick, Georgia, Spivey Ray, Jr. of Cordele, Georgia, Robert (Vielene) Ray, Sr. of Albany, Georgia, Ina Murl Williams and Sue Ellen White of Tampa,  Florida; his mother-in-law, Ella Mae Brown of Albany, Georgia; his sisters-in-law, Jennifer Brown and Alice Brown of Albany, Georgia; his brothers-in-law, Keith (Lynn) Brown of Sumner, Georgia, Michael Brown of Sylvester, Georgia, and Charles (Valerie) Roberts of Albany, Georgia; his special cousins, Lawrence Burns  and Clay Burns of Arabi, Georgia, Lorenda  Oliver of Cordele, Georgia and Willie C. Ray, Jr of New York; his nieces and nephews; many cousins, other relatives and many sorrowing friends.