Robert 'Bobby' A. Ray Sr., 71 of Taylorsville, MS passed away Thursday, June 16, 2022, at his son's residence in Taylorsville, MS. He was born Thursday, March 8, 1951 in Chicago, Illinois.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2022 from 10:00AM until 11:00AM at Hebron Baptist Church in Soso, MS. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2022 at 11:00AM at Hebron Baptist Church in Soso, MS. Burial will follow in Hebron Cemetery in Soso, MS. Dr. John Reid will officiate. Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Laurel is in charge of arrangements. 601-649-3342

Bobby loved the Lord and loved to share that love through music.  As a minister of music at various Baptist Churches, he also sang Tenor in multiple gospel groups.  When he was not singing to the Lord, he was fishing – which was his all-time favorite thing to do.  If he was near a body of water, he was determined to wet a hook.  Some knew Bobby as the "Peanut Man" or the "Satsuma Man", as he could often be found in Calhoun with a fresh batch of boiled peanuts or freshly picked satsumas for sale and jokes to tell.  Laughter was always guaranteed. He also got into woodworking in his older years and enjoyed doing it daily.

Bobby adored his grandchildren.  He would ride his John Deere Lawn Mower to find them daily, so they could have popsicles with Papaw.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jimmy and Patsy Yeingst and father William R. Ray, son, Robert Alan Ray Jr. and brother, Billy Ray.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Myrtis Gatlin Ray, son, Kevin Ray (Amy), daughter, Mary Ann Smith, grandchildren, Brandon Ray (Chandler), Bryce Ray, Millie Ray, Micah Smith, great-grandchildren, Avery Faith Ray, brother, Mark Ray (Glenda), sister, Elizabeth Valentine, brother, Frank Yeingst and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Pallbearers will be Jeff Graves, John Estelle, Jason Pickering, Wiley Pickering, Josh Satcher, and Jim Huff.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jimmy Donald, Bill Reddoch, and Neil Pickering.

An online guestbook may be signed at www.colonialchapellaurel.com