James Lee Ray, 72, of Dawsonville, died June 29, 2015.

Born Oct. 21, 1942 in Lumpkin County, to the late Jim Ray and Mattie Faye Ray Beck, he had lived in Dawson County for the past 23 years.

Mr. Ray retired from Tyson's after 16 years of service.

His son, Mark Ray; three sisters and five brothers, also preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Brindia "Meme" Ray of Dawsonville; children, Anita and Tim Prichard, James Timothy Ray, Lucas and Celina Ray, all of Dawsonville; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Frances Bruce Ray of Dawsonville; sisters, Sandra Satterfield, Barbara Jean Nichols, both of Dawsonville; brothers, Gerald Ray of Mt. Airy, Eugene Lemley of Baldwin; various other relatives also survive.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. July 2 in the Bearden Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. J.R. Fields officiating. Interment will follow in the Philippi Baptist Church Cemetery in Lumpkin County.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 9 p.m. July 1 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to assist with final expenses.

Bearden Funeral Home of Dawsonville is in charge of the arrangements.