Ray Chamness

1937 - 2016

Ray Chamness
1937-2016
Ray Chamness, 78, of Carthage, passed away on Thursday evening, March 10, 2016, at his home. Barber Ray Chamness was born on July 26, 1937, in Panola County, TX, to the late Barber Elmer and Cecil Cosette Pike Chamness. He was raised in the Rehobeth community and was a member of the Rehobeth Methodist Church. Ray graduated from Carthage High School with the class of 1955, and graduated from business school in Tyler with an Associates Degree in Accounting. He served his country in the Texas National Guard. Ray worked for Tyler Pipe and Foundry, Woodward Iron Company in Woodward, AL, and The Mead Corporation in Anniston, AL. He moved to Houston to work for Murray Rubber Co., a subsidiary of The Mead Corp until his retirement in 1979. He married Sandra Hernandez from Houston, TX on Aug. 31, 1979 and they moved to Pearland, TX. He worked for John Sexton & Co. as Credit and Office Manager. He then worked at Jake's Finer Foods as a salesman. He also worked as a car salesman for Strickland Chevrolet in Pearland. In 1999, after his second retirement from Strickland Chevrolet, Ray moved back to Carthage where he became an active member of First United Methodist Church. There he was a member of the choir, the Agape Sunday School Class, a Stephen Minister, past-president of United Methodist Men and served on the Board of Trustees. He was a charter member of the Tyler Lion's Club. He was also a member and past-president of the Carthage Lions Club and served as 2nd Vice-District 2S1 Governor. Ray was a member of the Panola County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors. He enjoyed golfing, traveling in the U.S. and Europe, dinner and a movie, Broadway plays and musicals, and Carthage Bulldog football. He looked forward to deer season. When he no longer was able to attend the Bulldog games with his friend, Dr. Wayne Kyle, he tuned-in to the game on KGAS radio. Ray never met a stranger and he will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Ray was preceded in death by his parents; son, Greg Chamness; in-laws, Toby P. and Flavia Ramirez Hernandez; and his beloved cousin-in-law, Lillian Gallegos Villarreal.
Survivors include his loving wife, Sandra, and his loving pet, Mr. Darcy, both of Carthage; son, Kerry Chamness (Brenda); two grandchildren; sister-cousin, Charlcye Robertson (Darrell) of Carthage; cousins, Annette Powell (Jim); Larry Shepherd (Georgia); and Jimmy Pike (Pam) all of Carthage; and Julie Pike; sisters-in-law, Jo Ann Burford of Glendale, AZ; Dolores Ann Hernandez of Houston; and Elizabeth Ann Lopez (Julio) of Spring; brother-in-law, Toby Hernandez, Jr. (Lily) of Houston; and a host of nieces and nephews and friends.
A visitation will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, March 13, 2016, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 14, 2016, at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Keefe Cropper, Rev. Leah Hanks, and Buddy Bankhead officiating. Interment will follow in Rehobeth Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Dr. Wayne Kyle, BG(R) Joe Ramirez, Johnny Villarreal, Larry Hernandez, Jr., Toby Hernandez, Jr., Gary Meck, Robert Earl Smith and Jack McGee. Honorary pallbearers are Earl Malone, Darrell Robertson, Larry Shepherd, Richard Copeland, Eugene Whitaker, Hal Whitaker, Bill May, Cliff Townsend, and Steve Mahaffey.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 201 S. Shelby, Carthage, TX 75633 or Texas Lions Camp, P.O. Box 290247, Kerrville, TX 78029-0247.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Heart's Way Hospice and Elite Private Care.
A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.