Mildred “Ezelle” Stewart Ray was born on September 3, 1939 in Tift County to Pelham Bryant and Emma Mae Thompson Stewart. She died peacefully on June 20th in the care of Legacy Village of Tifton with family at her side. She was preceded in death by her son Tom Ray, her parents, her sister Melba (Robert) Wood, brothers-in-law Jesse Scroggins and Steve Partin. She is survived by her husband, Tommy Ray; daughters, Terri (Mike) Carroll of Hartwell, Tanya (Curtis) Clark of Cave Springs, Arkansas and daughter-in-law, Debra Ray of Jacksonville, Florida. She loved and was so proud of all of her family including her nine grandchildren, Tyler Ray; Andrew, Alan, Ansley and Alyson Carroll; Sam, Elle, Cooper and Brynley Clark. She is also survived by her loving siblings, Maxine Scroggins, Milton (Connie) Stewart, Merle (Raymond) Pearman, Oscar (Floyce) Stewart, Teresa Partin and many nieces and nephews.
She was a partner in life and in business with her husband of 62 years. Ezelle loved her church at Northside Baptist, where she taught Sunday school and served in numerous other roles for decades. She also served in her community and was well-loved. She enjoyed staying busy and loved spending time outside.
An intimate service will be held at Northside Baptist Church at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 for friends and family. Because of the COVID-19 guidelines, the family has requested that everyone who plans to attend the funeral service wear a mask.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be given in memory of Ezelle to Northside Baptist Church or the Alzheimer’s Association at ALZ.org.