The Reverend Franklin Wilson Ray, 92, of Itta Bena, Mississippi, died Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at Riverview Nursing Home. He was born in McCool, Mississippi, on October 31, 1923. He graduated from Olive Branch High School and Millsaps College and Emory University, Atlanta Georgia where he earned a Master of Divinity degree.

Mr. Ray was ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church in 1948. He served a total of 67 years in churches (Duck Hill, Becker, Belmont, Duncan, Tchula, Lake Cormorant, Benoit, Charleston, Lula, Itta Bena, Sidon, Schlater, and Moorhead-Sunflower.

He was active in the Itta Bena-Morgan City Rotary where he served twice as President and was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a 33 degree Mason and received a 50 years service award.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Guy and Clara Ray, his siblings, Leland Ray, Crawford Ray, Louise Massey, his wife, Janie Carpenter Ray and a daughter, Marcia McMurry.

Mr. Ray is survived by his wife, Carolyn Webb Ray, Indywood Glen, Greenwood; his sons, Franklin W. Ray, Jr. (Kathleen) of Collierville, TN; Andy Ray (Katherine) of Tupelo; Guy Ray (Charlot) of Greenwood; Carol Morris (Phil) of Greenwood; Penny Russell (Steve) of Kosciusko; and Sammy Pigott (Debbie). Wilson hosted 9 foster children. He is survived by 14 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at Wilson and Knight Funeral Home, Greenwood, MS; graveside will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Evergreen Cemetery, North Carrollton and a Service of Death and Resurrection will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Moorhead United Methodist Church, Moorhead, MS.

Memorials may be sent to the Wilson and Carolyn Ray Scholarship Endowment (Millsaps College),c/o United Methodist Foundation, PO Box 2415, Ridgeland, MS 39158-2415.

Wilson and Knight Funeral Home is in charge.