George Ray, 72, of Franklin, passed away on Tuesday, November 14, 2006.

A native of Macon County, he was the son of the late Robert Ray and Beulah Dowdle Ray. He was preceded in death by three brothers, R.L., Paul and Ralph and a sister, Myrtle Baker. George worked for City Dry Cleaners, LBJ Job Corp, Macon County Supply and Ace Hardware. He was a lifelong member of Clarks Chapel United Methodist Church, instrumental in the church renovations, pews, carpet, and stained glass windows and was also a lay leader and Sunday school teacher. He was a charter member of the Clarks Chapel Fire Department; past president of Clarks Chapel Community Development and Macon County Council.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Catherine Wooten Ray; two children, Susie McCoy and husband Terry of Franklin and Keith Ray of Franklin; one sister, Josephine Roper of Franklin; two grandsons, Joshua Ray McCoy of Greensboro, NC and James McCoy and wife Nicole of Cumming, GA; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, November 18, at Clarks Chapel United Methodist Church. Rev. Al Beck and layman Dick Richards will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday, November 17, at Macon Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Dennis Ray, Paul Wooten, Jerry Sutton, Tommy McCoy, Charles Roper, Bruce Wooten, William R. Martin and James Tallent.

Memorial donations may be made to the Clarks Chapel United Methodist Cemetery Fund, C/O Jean Sutton, 1822 Clarks Chapel Road, Franklin, NC 28734 or Lewis Rathbun Wellness Center, 121 Sherwood Road, Asheville, NC 28803.

Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Online condolences available @www.maconfuneralhome.com

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