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Raymond Woolson Obituary
December 30, 1958 - August 13, 2024
Raymond Brainard "Ray" Woolson III, 65, of Penhook passed away peacefully while surrounded by his family on August 13, 2024. Ray was born on December 30, 1958, to Raymond and Patricia Woolson, in Plattsburgh, NY. Ray is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Catherine Belle Cooper Woolson; sons, Raymond Woolson, Cooper (Elizabeth) Woolson, Story (Anna) Woolson; daughter, Belle Woolson; mother, Patricia Woolson; sister, Sabin (Steve) Thompson; brother, Tyler (Kim) Woolson; grandchildren, Lyric Busk-Woolson, McClain Woolson, Catherine Woolson; father-in-law, Bob Cooper; several brothers and sisters in law, nieces and nephews. Ray was also looking forward to a fourth granddaughter due in December. Ray was preceded in death by his father, Raymond Woolson II; and his mother-in-law, Belle Cooper.
Ray grew up in a loving family in Connecticut and later New Hampshire. He completed his undergraduate education in economics at Dartmouth College where he also played football. He later earned an MBA at the Darden School of Business at UVA where he met Cathy in Charlottesville, VA. Ray had a successful career in finance as a senior executive who held several board memberships. He excelled at competitive marksmanship and enjoyed driving sports cars and skiing. Ray was playful in nature, he loved to laugh, give nicknames, and win games. He was a loving provider and faithful protector of his family. He delighted in supporting his wife and children in any of their endeavors, and he was a constant presence of love and encouragement for them.
Despite his many successes in life, Ray realized that none of these things fully satisfy without a personal relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. Ecclesiastes 2:25b says, "who can have enjoyment without Him?" and Romans 6:23 states, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." He received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and it is his hope that many would join him. As Romans 10:13 states, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." As an outflow of love for his Savior, Ray served in many roles including as a small group leader at Bible Study Fellowship and as a teacher of personal finance for a prison ministry.
A visitation will be held on August 22, 2024, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. at Franklin Heights Church (110 Hilltop Drive, Rocky Mount, VA 24151). A funeral service will take place on August 23, 2024 at Franklin Heights Church at 11 a.m.
In lieu of sending flowers, please consider donating to Every Home for Christ, a favorite ministry of the family, or his home church, Franklin Heights Church. https://everyhome.org/give/ EHC International Headquarters 640 Chapel Hills Dr. Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center, Rocky Mount.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Raymond Woolson
Sponsored by Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center, Inc. - Rocky Mount.
Pat Morton
September 6, 2024
Cathy,
My condolences to you over the loss of Ray. He loved Jesus and was a great BSF leader.
Pat Norton
Mike Ceccato
August 25, 2024
Mike Ceccato
August 25, 2024
Mike Ceccato
August 25, 2024
Here is Ray "enjoying" a December Green Bay Packer game at Lambeau Field and after leading a few of us to the top of Camelback Mountain. Ray always had a smile for us and the camera.
Mike Ceccato
August 24, 2024
I had the honor to serve Ray as the Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President during his over 7 year term as an Adviser Series Trust (AST) board member. Ray took the time to build relationships with all of the AST officers. With me, we shared our skiing and driving fast cars hobbies. In addition to Ray being a a true competent and ethical financial professional, it was clear that he also enjoyed family and life outside of the office. Ray was the first person to encourage me to pursue a public board position after I retired last year. Not only will I always remember and miss Ray from our time together, and that for the first time, I was approved as a new board member on August 13th. Please accept my condolences for the loss of Ray and hope, like me, we can take solace knowing that Ray is with our Lord and living a well deserved eternal life.
Jeff Rauman
August 23, 2024
I had the pleasure of getting to know Ray in our work on the Advisors Series Trust. He as a board member and eventually chairman of the board and me as the president of the Trust. I enjoyed our dinner conversations and our discussions both in the board meetings and collaborating on issues outside of the meeting. He was a highly intelligent and kind man, who I was sad to hear was not able to continue in his role as our board chairman when he was diagnosed with ALS last fall. I was happy to hear that he had a strong relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, so I am sure that he is in a better place. He has been missed and I look forward to reconnecting with him down the road in heaven.
dan Owen
August 21, 2024
Ray was an inspiration and a guide in leading me back to Jesus. He and Dave Savitz have been a Godsend to me. I will miss Ray. My condolences to his family and friends.
Lida & Cody Walker
August 19, 2024
So sorry for your loss of a wonderful man. I know you take comfort in your strong faith, family and friends. He will be truly missed.
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