Ray Paul Flowers

Ray Paul Flowers of Ridgeland, MS, 91, and a former resident of Hazlehurst, died Friday, August 22, 2025. He was born on December 25, 1933, in Magnolia, MS to Lois and A.J. Flowers.

Ray graduated from Magnolia High School. Highly recruited, he accepted a football scholarship at Louisiana State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Margaret Lang until her untimely death.

Ray worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a poultry inspector. Living in Hazlehurst during this time, he had many endeavors which were cattle farming, co-owner of a catfish restaurant and grower of hydroponic tomatoes. He was an active member of his church where he served as a deacon and volunteered for many improvement projects for the community, including the Ray Flowers Activities Building at First Baptist Church in Hazlehurst, MS. He was a member of the MS National Guard and president of Copiah Educational Foundation. After his retirement, he married Bette Johnson of Lawrenceville, GA and they moved to Ridgeland, MS. Ray worked at St. Dominic Hospital in as an escort with Guest Services and then volunteered. He was blessed to care for families in the critical care waiting room. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Madison, MS and a member of the Woodward Sunday School class.

Ray was a loyal friend and always interested in the wellbeing of others. He lived a full life and loved his family dearly. He was predeceased by his parents, his first wife, Margaret, wife Bette and his siblings A.J. Flowers, Mary Ida Flowers, Marie Walton and Carolyn Pardue.

He is survived by his son, David R. Flowers of Hazlehurst and his daughter, Meg Mathis (Jeff) of Pelham, AL: Stepdaughter, Vickie Snively (Scott) of Madison, Stepson, Henry J. Williams, III (Lytresa) of Yazoo City; grandchildren, Ross W. Bosch and Lauren B. Hall (Nick); step grandchildren, Matthew Snively (Sarah), Kevin Snively and Henry J. Williams, IV; great grandson, Noah Hall; step great granddaughter, Norah.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at Sebrell Funeral Home in Ridgeland, MS. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. followed by a Memorial Service at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church, 2100 Main Street, Madison, MS 39110 or Baptist Children's Village, P.O. Box 27, Clinton, MS 39060.