Raphael Ray Rhymes Jr.

Dr. Ray Rhymes, Jr., 90, of Monroe, Louisiana passed away peacefully at his home on October 21, 2025. Ray, Jr. was born to Ray Sr. and Sarah Hodge Rhymes on February 2, 1935. Dr. Rhymes attended Neville High School and later graduated from Louisiana State University in 1955. After receiving his degree from LSU, he furthered his education at Loyola Dental School where he met and married Anne Stephens Rhymes. Following their marriage, he completed his Oral Surgery residency at LSU Shreveport Confederate Memorial in 1961, and then learned to master his surgical skills while serving in the U.S. Navy from 1961 to 1964. Dr. Rhymes established The Oral Surgery Center in 1964 alongside Dr. Jack Davis where they practiced Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery for many years to come. He later retired at the age of 80, due to illness, after a lifetime of dedicating his life to helping others. Dr. Rhymes served his community through timeless hours as The Monroe Chamber of Commerce President and a member of the Ouachita Parish School Board. Under his leadership, a Special Education Program was implemented in the parish school system in 1977, to help those children with learning differences. Dr. Rhymes was an accomplished golfer, a member of "The BIG GAME" and served on the Bayou Desiard greens committee. The outdoors was his greatest passion, and across the nation he enjoyed many of God's creations while hunting and fishing. However, Davis Island and the Rhymes Family Farm were his most treasured refuge. He served for years on the Davis Island Land Company Board of Directors, where he helped transition the land company into a multigenerational organization. As he grew older, he hung up his guns and rods and became an animal savior for countless strays, both wild and domesticated. His well-known words were "everyone has to eat" including every bird, reptile, fish, dog, deer, squirrel or his beloved cats that always managed to find their way to him. Dr. Rhymes' ability to heal those most in need was always cared for without pay and those who could pay were often provided care without ever a thought of payment. He was selfless with his talents and skills and he thought those were a gift from God which made it easy to give his time to those who needed his care. His friendships were unique, meaningful, and plentiful. Many of his lifelong friends came from all walks of life and his loyalty to those selected few remained unbreakable. Dr. Rhymes was preceded in death by his parents, Sarah Hodge Rhymes and Ray Rhymes, Sr. and his wife of 49 years, Anne Stephens Rhymes. He is survived by his four children, Allyson Stephens Rhymes Mooneyham (Mitch) Raphael Ray Rhymes, III (Carol), Thomas Edward Rhymes, (Holly), and Randolph Stephens Rhymes (Krista Keever); grandchildren, Raphael Ray Rhymes, IV, (Jenna), Ali Savannah Rhymes, and Harrison Keever Rhymes; great grandchildren, Raphael Ray Rhymes, V "River" and Brock Beckham Rhymes. Special thanks to care givers, Johnnie Hardy, Angela Jones, Sharon Jones, Kenneisha Jones, Erica Jones, Johnnie Williams, and Arthur Clark. The efforts of Goodwin Gladney and Premier Hospice Staff were invaluable. A family graveside service will be held for Dr. Rhymes at 2:30 P.M., Friday, October 24, 2025, at Rhymes Cemetery, Highway 15, Rhymes, LA under the care and direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Homes. A reception for family and friends will be held at 4:00 P.M. at the Rhymes Family Camp in Monroe where a "Good Time will be had by All" as Dr. Rhymes would say.