Prentice Eugene Ray

November 22, 1953 - July 31, 2018

Prentice Eugene Ray, 64, passed away on Tuesday, July 31, 2018, at Anderson Regional Medical Center in Meridian, Mississippi. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 3, 2018, in the Nowell Massey Funeral Home Chapel in Louisville, Mississippi, with Rev. Gerald Butler officiating. Visitation will be the day of the service from 12:00 p.m. until service time at Nowell Massey Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Butler Cemetery in Noxubee County. Mr. Ray was born on November 22, 1953, to Alfred and Mavis Franklin Ray. He enlisted in the Mississippi Army National Guard in November of 1979. He attended Basic Training and advanced individual training at Ft. Benning, GA from January 1980 through April 1980. Prentice was a good soldier who always did his job while in the National Guard and was always ready to follow orders given to him. This was very evident when he answered the call when his unit was ordered to active duty in support of Desert Shield/Desert Storm. The unit mobilized in December 1990 and was released from active duty in April 1991. He was always willing to help his fellow soldiers ad was well liked and thought of by all who served with him. Prentice achieved the rank of Specialist E-4 while in the service of his state and country and was a proud member of the Mississippi Army National Guard. Prentice is survived by his daughter, April Burton, of Macon, Georgia; his sister, Mary Higginbotham, of Noxapater, Mississippi; and his four granddaughters: Selena Burton, Elizabeth Atkinson, Courtnie Burton, and Breanna Burton. Prentice also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Mr. Ray was preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers, Monroe Ray and David Ray. Pallbearers will be Glenn Gazaway, James Higginbotham, Mickeal Higginbotham, Trail Pace, Brian Rogers, and James Wegienka. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in honor of Mr. Ray may be given to Nowell Massey Funeral Home to help defray funeral expenses. Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.