Cover photo for Ray B. English's Obituary
Ray B. English Profile Photo

Ray B. English

October 25, 1925 — January 31, 2020

Ray B. English

Ray B. English, 94, died peacefully surrounded by loving family on Jan. 31, 2020.

Born in Greene County, Ray grew up in the Jearoldstown Community. His devotion to family was evident in early entrepreneurial endeavors, beginning as a young child with a paper route followed by opening a small grocery store with his father at age 12. As a teen, Ray worked in Kingsport at Holston Ordnance, the glass plant and was later employed by Tennessee Eastman for 25 years. During his tenure with Eastman, he also developed and operated Pinecrest Apartments and built numerous single-family homes. Other endeavors prior to his retirement included real estate, car sales, and the building and operation of Mountain Terrace Apartments in Kingsport.

Ray served as an elder at both Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church and Pleasant Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church, where he also served as President of the Cemetery Association for many years.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, George E. English, Sr. and Kate Carmack English; sister, Anna Ruth English; brothers J.W. English, George E. English, Jr. and Charles English; brother-in-law, Wayne Matthews and sister-in-law, Jean English.

Ray was a proud and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Doris Styles English; daughters, Donna Taylor and husband Dwight, Ronda Fields and husband Jeff; grandchildren, Kayla Fields Hayes and husband Lucas, Morgan Taylor and Marcus Taylor; great-grandchildren, Harvey Hayes and Anna Styles Hayes; step-grandchildren, Carson Taylor and Katrina Taylor; sisters, Louise Matthews, Harretta Justis and husband Danny; sisters-in-law, Terry English and Evelyn Hensley; and many dear nieces and nephews. 

The family expresses appreciation to staff at Cornerstone Village Johnson City, both south and north campuses, NHC Kingsport and Caris Healthcare Johnson City for compassionate care and support. The loving support of Pleasant Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church family is also sincerely appreciated.  

The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 8, 2020 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm at Pleasant Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 13385 Kingsport Hwy., Chuckey, TN.  Service will follow at 1:00 pm with Richard Snowden and Rev. Ronnie Duncan officiating. Graveside service will follow in the church cemetery.

Nephews and family members will serve as pallbearers.

Memorial donations may be made to Pleasant Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church, c/o Genevieve Bolton, 15440 Kingsport Hwy., Chuckey TN 37641.

 

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ray B. English, please visit our flower store.

Past Services

Visitation

Saturday, February 8, 2020

12:00 - 1:00 pm (Eastern time)

Pleasant Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church

Chuckey, TN

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Funeral Service

Saturday, February 8, 2020

Starts at 1:00 pm (Eastern time)

Pleasant Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church

Chuckey, TN

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Burial

Hamlett-Dobson Crematory

TN

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