Dr. Ray Edwaard Worley, 73, of Tifton passed away Sunday, August 28, 2005, at his residence. His funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 31, 2005, in the Sanctuary of Tifton's First Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Ches Smith, III, the Rev. Dr. Wayne Roe and the Rev. Paul Thomas officiating. Dr. Worley was entombed in the Mausoleum at Tift Memorial Gardens.
Wilbur Webb, Clair Troxell, Ed White, Gene Seigler, Nick Hardin, Scott Hardin, Bobby Miles and Tommy Smallwood served as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were the deacons of Tifton's First Baptist Church (active and reserve), the members of the Adult 3 Sunday School Department at Tifton's First Baptist Church, as well as Richard Dale, Lawton Samples, Bill Johnson, Terry Kelley, Fincher Matthews and Dr. Worley's Hospice Team.
Born May 4, 1932, in Robbinsville, North Carolina, Dr. Worley was the son of the late Ambrose Worley and Ethel Hyde Worley. Before retiring, he was a professor of Horticulture at the Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton for 35 years. He was well-known and received many awards for his pecan research. He was a member of Tifton's First Baptist Church. He loved the church and served as a deacon, taught Sunday School and served on numerous committees. He received the Exchange Club's Golden Deeds Award in 2005; and he was a veteran of the United States Army.
Dr. Worley is survived by his wife, Billie Adams Worley of Tifton; one son and daughter-in-law, David and Allison Worley of Huntsville, Alabama; two daughters and sons-in-law, Diane and Will Hardin of Saint Mary's and Miriam and Jeff Tomberlin of Merritt Island, Florida; one brother, Marvin Worley of Robbinsville, North Carolina; and six grandchildren and their spouses, Alisa Worley, Lauren and Chuck Pace, Andrew Worley, Nick Hardin, Scott Hardin and Jordan Tomberlin.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the First Baptist Church of Tifton, 404 Love Avenue, Tifton, GA 31794; or Hospice of Tift Area, 618 Central Avenue North, Tifton, GA 31794.