Raymond E Strother

Raymond Everett Strother Sunrise January 9, 1948 - Sunset April 11, 2025 Raymond Everett Strother, also known as Ray, R in the R&B Rhythm Blue's. Raymond was 77 when he transition on the early morning of April 11, 2025. Raymond lived life the way He wanted to the last second. And also what he wanted after he was gone. His words I am King this is my Kingdom (KING RAY)..... Raymond was born on January 9, 1948 to the late Mary E. Strother, he was raised by his late maternal grandparents. He grew up in Harlem NY and graduated High School. Late in his life Raymond Earned his Master Degree in Child Development and Social Services. Raymond worked for Head Start Property Management for the City of New York. Raymond worked his way up to becoming a Senior License Specialist. Where he met friends for a lifetime also doing what he had love to do helping people. Raymond worked hard to make a safe, caring and loving atmosphere for the staff and most definitely the well being of the kids and family's. He made sure every and all needs were met. Raymond was a dedicated worker even after he had retired. He volunteered to continue to do what he had loved doing. The many friends he shared life with at the main office building was truly a piece of him he never forgot about them. He stayed connected with many of them to his last days. talking about the Old Days where everything was so cheap. (he was very cheap LOL) but loving and giving at the same time. Raymond would give you the socks off his feet, and say take the one with the Five toes(lol) I need this one for myself they already took a toe. Raymond married Jo-Ann Batts, and had two wonderful children Michelle and Raymond Jr. He was a loving husband and father. Even though this union ended they still remained loving friends until the end.
After sometime Raymond meet the love of his life, his other half, his Wife & Best Friend Delilah(Brenda) the ''B" in the R&B, Ray&Bren. That was the start of the Rhythm & Blue's. Together they raised their blended family of five children Samuel, Jeffrey, Kimberly,Shawn and Shanett in Marcy Houses in Bed-Stuy Brooklyn. When R&B got together with their friends at a card table there was no match in the whole room. They always walked away with many 1st place trophies and 1st place medals. Raymond loved his wife until his very last breath. Raymond was always the voice of reason for many of his family and friend. When you wanted to talk about life he was the first most of us would call. He knew a lot on life and what it could bring you, but only if you put the work in. The lessons and knowledge he had in stored in his family was and is worth more then anything. He was the first to respond even if it didn't concern him, he put his two cents in and would love talking about life with whoever crossed his path. Raymond enjoyed life and everything that came with it. The Ups & Down, Goodtime & Bad he said its the Way you get Back Up that makes Life worth Living that Matter the Most. To his cousin Alexander (Bozey) Curry he always talked about the history and memories they shared was something that was dear to his heart. the life the both of you went though and still in all both raised amazing families. To his best friend more like a brother from another (his words) Arnold we worked together for years and became the best of buds more alike then both of us knew and we discovered. loved has no boundaries. If you Knew him it was to Love that man. He treated all his kids also grandkids the same. Raymond loved and cared for my and is family most of all. He never call his kids STEPKids,we was him Period.....
Raymond is predeceased in death by his maternal Grandparents, his brother Albert (Tony) Strother, his mother Mary Strother. His loving Wife Delilah (Brenda) Strother. Also his children Samuel, Shawn, Kimberly and Raymond Jr. Two son In-laws Thaddeus Sr. and Robert. One daughter in-law Melissia Raymond leaves to cherish is his children his dearest oldest daughter Michelle Strother-Steward, his Son Jeffrey McWilliams, and his dearest baby girl Shanett McWilliams-Yates. Raymond was father in-law to their spouses Tanya Fernandez and Hassan Yates. He also leaves behind a few sisters in-law and a couple brothers in-law. Raymond was the Grandfather to 16 grands Chanda, Robert, Chasity, Jasmine, Shaneece, Shindaya, La-Jene, Thaddues Jr, Alicia, Ha-Quan, Michael, Jerome, Jarod, Chase, Trent and Natalie. Great Grandfather to 9 Nick, Kimberly, Jeremiah, Winter, Sophia, Eric, Kenze, Melissa and Jamir His cousin Alexander (Bozey) Curry, His best buddy Arnold Aravena. A host of cousins, nieces, nephews and family friends he had meet over his lifetime near and dear to him.
Raymond will be Missed Dearly by those who loved him.
A Letter to our Dad To Daddy He was a good husband a good provider, a loving father children and grandchildren he will be truly missed Love Michelle
To Dad I want to thank the man that was a big part of me and my family life a true father that raised me and my brothers and sisters always have your back always a great grandfather to all grands and great grands I'm truly missed you sleep in peace true KING. Love Jeffrey
To Daddy My father loved going out even if it was a doctors appointment as long as his baby girl was coming to take him and after, go out to eat anywhere he wanted or he would say to me WHERE YOU WANT TO GO THIS WEEK remember no meat today so we would end up a Red Lobster. It wasn't the doctors or the food he just wanted to send time with me. I finally got it when one day he says pull over at that park, I pull over because I'm thinking something is wrong with his breathing machine (scared the heck out of me) yes I cussed the people in the car in front of us (he starts laughing) and say NO he just wants to enjoy the sun and sending that father daughter time every second He/We got. I loved ever minute of that time and cherish the love he had for me. He Love getting calls from his kids also his grandkid. Love you your baby girl Nett
A poem to Our Father The king that u was Their will never be another like you. The love you've instilled in all of us, we will Always feel. You have earned your Crown in the Kingdom of God loving hands. Our Father there aren't enough words to explain the love you had for us. We cherish the memories we all shared growing up. Our Father King Raymond you are now a Royal King and God has accepted you in his Kingdom. So rest to Our Father May you Rule your next life
R&B BACK TOGETHER IN ETERNAL LIFE RHYTHM&BLUES RED&BLUE LONG LIVE MY DAD KING RAYMOND HAS EARNED HIS CROWN
A Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 2-3pm at McCausland Garrity Marchesani Funeral Home, 343 S. Chester Pike Glenolden PA. 19036 followed by the reading of the Obituary, Acknowledgments and Words of Remembrance.
Topic: MCGFH Funeral Service - Raymond Strother Time: Apr 26, 2025 02:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85492385059?pwd=IoXKOn33EN6UsylN1w58vE4r1TedS0.1
Meeting ID: 854 9238 5059 Passcode: 783243