Obituary for John W. Ray, Chambers and Randolph, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/randolph/obits/jnowray.txt ============================================= USGENWEB PROJECT NOTICE: In keeping with the USGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Project Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file is copyrighted and contributed by: William Fischer, Jr. ============================================= November 2003 OLD ENGINEER MAKES LAST RUN ---------------------------- Mr. John W. RAY[,] the veteran engineer on the Roanoke branch of the Central of Georgia Railway, has made his last run. His hand has relinquished its hold upon the throttle and now rests upon his tired breast. The end came last Friday evening at his home in this place [Roanoke], after many months of declining health. Mr. RAY had a remarkable career. He had been a locomotive engineer 48 years, though he was barely 65 years of age at his death. He began serving as engineer on this branch of the road in 1873, when it extended only to LaFayette, and just three years after its construction, and has been on this run practically ever since. He had the record of being one of the safest locomotive pilots in the state, accidents being reduced to the minimum under his watchful eye and steady hand. People of all classes along his route knew him intimately and admired his honest, kindly nature. As an evidence of the esteem in which he was held by the Central of Georgia people, a special train was run from Columbus to the funeral, which occurred [unreadable] Saturday afternoon [2 January 1915], bringing about fifty officials of the road and fellow workers of the deceased. These brought handsome floral designs as an expression of their appreciation. The house was overflowed by the friends who came to pay their respects to the deceased and his family. Many stood on the ground in front of the residence while the impressive services within were being conducted by Rev. E. M. GLENN. The interment which followed was in the cemetery near by. Mr. RAY leaves a widow and seven grown children, who have the sympathy of many friends. [From The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 6 January 1915, p.1] ---------------------------- BRIEF LOCAL AND PERSONAL NEWS ---------------------------- Among those attending the funeral of Mr. RAY Saturday were Mrs. J. T. SPENCE and daughter and Misses Sallie and Addie HUNTER, all of Buffalo [Chambers County]. ------------ Among the out-of-town relatives besides the children who attended the funeral of Mr. J. W. RAY Saturday were Mrs. M. M. MARTIN, of Opelika, and Mrs. W. C. Gwin, of Columbus, sisters of the deceased, and Mrs. J. B. RICHARDS, of Atlanta, sister of Mrs. RAY. [Both from The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 6 January 1915, p.5] ---------------------------- VETERAN ENGINEER IS DEAD ---------------------------- “Johnny RAY, the veteran engineer, who died at Roanoke last week, was one of the best known men in east Alabama,” said J. W. ADAMS. “For nearly fifty years Johnny RAY had been in the railroad business. For thirty years of this time he ran as engineer on the Alabama division of the Central of Georgia from Roanoke to Columbus. He was known by practically every citizen along the route and there are many men prominent in Alabama affairs who Johnny RAY rode on their first ride on a steam train. Mr. RAY never knew what it was to miss a day from his run. He was always enthusiastic over his work and probably had fewer accidents than any other engineer in the country.” – [Originally published in the] Birmingham Ledger. [From The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 13 January 1915, p.1] ---------------------------- [UNTITLED NEWS BRIEF] ---------------------------- Cliff THOMAS, of Columbus, has been appointed permanent engineer on the East Alabama to succeed Uncle John RAY, deceased. [From The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 20 January 1915, p.1] ---------------------------- John W. RAY, 14 January 1850—1 January 1915, Sarah Frances ADAMS RAY, 1 April 1851—15 February 1923, his wife, Frank Dunbar RAY, 26 January 1885—28 April 1902, their son, Ernest W. RAY, 5 February 1883—6 September 1894, their son, And two (2) unmarked cement covered adult graves All in the RAY family plot in Cedarwood Cemetery, Roanoke, Randolph County, Alabama.