John Ray Edmonds

John Ray Edmonds of Ringgold GA and Chattanooga TN died August 16, 2025. He was preceded by many and survived by few. He was a devoted Christian and a family man who loved life and lived a healthy lifestyle, with lawn mowing the yard and blowing the leaves.

Ray was born November 12, 1928 to the late George Wiley and Ollie Holland Edmonds shortly before they moved from a home in Chattanooga to a farm in Ringgold because, in George's words, "a boy should grow up on a farm".

Ray was drafted shortly after he and Betty Lois Acuff married and, although the Korean War was ongoing, he was assigned to Germany, where he and Betty were members of an American congregation who shared facilities with a German-speaking congregation. Upon returning to the States, they were founding members of a congregation that started in a storefront on Dayton Blvd before establishing Hamill Road Church of Christ, the forerunner the Hixson Church, itself the forerunner of the Clear Creek Church. These were life-long fellowships which provided friendship and comfort through grief and allowed him to offer that same comfort.

He was preceded in death by his sisters: Lois, Della and Fay; his half sister and brother, Trella and Gerstel; his wife of over 56 years, Betty Lois (Acuff) Edmonds; and his second wife Elaine Stroud Edmonds. He was also preceded in death by two of his three sons and one of his two grandsons.

He is survived by his sister, Judy, one son and one grandson, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and true friends.

He knew great tragedy, but he laughed a lot more than he cried.

Visitation and funeral will be at Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace

Visitation is from 4:00 to 6:00 pm on August 26, 2025 and from 12:00 to 1:00 pm on August 27, 2025.

Funeral will be at 1:00 pm on August 27, 2025 with graveside service immediately following in Hamilton Memorial Gardens, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson.

In lieu of flowers, we request that you consider memorial donations to the Alzheimer's Association or to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements entrusted to Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, TN 37415, (423) 877-3524, lanefh.com.