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Ray L. Whitley age 87, long-time resident of Muskogee, OK entered his heavenly home on Saturday, August 15, 2020 singing and praising Jesus.
Ray was born August 2, 1933, in the Vann Community near the township of Porum, OK. He was the 2nd child born of 3 children to John and Vera Mae Whitley. Ray received a certificate of high school completion from Porum High School. He earned his Associate degree from Connors State College. On March 6, 1954 he married the greatest treasure in his life, Lois M. Ayers in Stigler, OK. Lois and Ray celebrated 63 years of marriage together until God called Lois to her eternal home on March 20, 2017. To this union 4 children were born.
Ray was a proud U.S. Army veteran, serving during the Korean Conflict. He would share his pride in serving his country while at Fort Sill, OK where he and Lois began their family. Ray was the persona of family, hard work and determination with a "never-give-up" spirit. He retired from the State of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Tax Commission after many years of faithful, dedicated and loyal service. He enjoyed retirement to its fullest with Lois by his side. Ray was a member of Southeast Baptist Church where he enjoyed fellowship with all of his church family, always sharing the joy of Jesus with those around him. His favorite pastime was traveling, especially short road trips through Porum and Stigler, reminiscing about the days gone by. Ray had a passion for the Oklahoma Sooners, old cars and the restoration of them, NASCAR, stock cars, and any other racing venue where there was a checkered flag at the end of the race. He found great joy in seeing and spending time with his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and his great-great grandchildren.
Ray was preceded in death by his loving wife, his parents and sister-in-law Eva Whitley.
Ray's surviving legacy includes his daughters Gayla Turner (Preston), Fort Gibson; Kathye Watson (Larry), Muskogee; Lynn Hamilton (Don), Fort Gibson; and son Clark Whitley (Sheila), Clarks Hill, IN. Grandchildren Andrea Mann (Joe), Jess Watson (Amanda), Nick Meschberger, Cody Meschberger (Megan), Erik Friend (Tara), Todd Friend (Stacy), Ryan Friend (Kate), Rachel Milne (Trea), Christy Whitley, and Dustin Whitley (Hayley). Great grandchildren, Whitley Watson, Jessica Watson, Jaycee Watson, Katelyn Mann, Carson Mann, Ainsley Mann, Hayden Mann, Billie Meschberger, Dakota Meschberger, Graeson Meschberger, Jonathan Friend, William Friend, Ava Friend, Jaxon Friend, Dax Friend, Alice Friend, Heidi Friend, Ion Friend, Rori Friend, Emory Friend, Addi Milne, Jaxon Milne, Asher Ray Whitley and great-great grandsons Christopher and Camden. Brother J.N. Whitley, of California and sister Maggie Hiseley (Jerry) of Muskogee. Ray is also loving survived by sisters-in-law Janet Lanier (Larry), Sharon Willis, Janice Ayers-Burnes (Kenneth), and Mildred Ayers. Brothers-in-law George Ayers (Dorothy) and Ronnie Ayers (Wanda). Ray leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, friends and relatives.
Celebration services for Ray will be held Wednesday, August 19, 2020, 10:00 a.m. at Southeast Baptist Church, 2511 East Hancock St., Muskogee, OK. Pastor Mike Murray will be officiating. Burial will be at Greenhill Cemetery in Muskogee, OK. Pallbearers are his grandsons Jess Watson, Nick Meschberger, Cody Meschberger, Erik Friend, Todd Friend, Ryan Friend and Dustin Whitley. Honorary pallbearers include Bob Whitley, Pete Hiseley, Mike Potts, Jeff Potts, Charlie Ayers and Mark Ayers.
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:" II Timothy 4:7 (KJV)
Funeral service arrangements are under the direction of Lescher Millsap Funeral Home.
Lois M. Ayers Whitley age 81, long-time resident of Muskogee, OK entered her heavenly home on Monday, March 20, 2017.
Lois was born January 15, 1936, in Braggs, OK. She was the 4th child born of 10 children to Perry A. and Ona Ayers. She graduated from Braggs High School in May, 1954. Later she earned her Associate degree from Connors State College, Bachelor's and Master's degree from Northeastern State University. On March 6, 1954 she married the love of her life Ray L. Whitley in Stigler, OK. To this union 4 children were born. Lois and Ray celebrated 63 years of marriage on the 6th of March.
Lois retired from the State of Oklahoma, Department of Human Services after many years of faithful dedicated and loyal service, and she and Ray began to enjoy retirement to its fullest. Lois was a member of Southeast Baptist Church and enjoyed fellowship with all of her church family, especially the special singing services. Her favorite pastime was sewing, with her passion of crafting and designing unique baby quilts for her grandchildren, great grandchildren and her great-great grandson.
Lois was preceded in death by her loving parents, brother Charles Ayers, sister Ruth Potts, and brother James Ayers.
Survivors include her husband, Ray Whitley; daughters, Gayla Turner (Preston), Ft. Gibson; Kathye Watson (Larry), Muskogee; Lynn Hamilton (Don), Ft. Gibson; and son, Clark Whitley (Sheila); Clarks Hill, IN. Grandchildren, Andrea Mann (Joe), Jess Watson (Amanda), Nick Meschberger, Cody Meschberger, Erik Friend (Tara), Todd Friend (Stacy), Ryan Friend (Kate), Rachel Milne (Trea), Christy Whitley, and Dustin Whitley. Great grandchildren, Whitley Watson, Jessica Watson, Jaycee Watson, Katelyn Mann, Carson Mann, Ainsley Mann, Hayden Mann, Billie Meschberger, Dakota Meschberger, Graeson Meschberger, Jonathan Friend, William Friend, Ava Friend, Jaxon Friend, Dax Friend, Alice Friend, Heidi Friend, Ion Friend, Rori Friend, Emory Friend, Addilyn Milne, Jaxon Milne; and great-great grandson, Christopher Martin. Sisters, Janet Lanier (Larry), Sharon Willis, and Wanda Long. Brothers, George Ayers (Dorothy), Perry Ayers, Jr. (Mildred), and Ronnie Ayers (Wanda). Sister-in-law, Janice Ayers Burnes (Kenneth). Brother-in-law, J.N. Whitley (Eva) and sister-in-law, Maggie Hiseley (Jerry). Lois is also lovingly survived by numerous nieces and nephews, friends and relatives.
Viewing will be at Lescher Millsap Funeral Home, 2801 Chandler Road, in Muskogee beginning Wednesday morning at 8:00 a.m. through 8:00 p.m. The family will greet friends Wednesday, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Lescher Millsap Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at lescher-millsapfuneralhome.com.
Celebration services for Lois will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, March 23, 2017 at Southeast Baptist Church, 2511 East Hancock St., Muskogee, OK with host pastor Mike Murray, Rev. Kelly Payne and Rev. Adrian Totty officiating.
Burial will be at Greenhill Cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons: Jess Watson, Nick Meschberger, Cody Meschberger, Erik Friend, Todd Friend, Ryan Friend and Dustin Whitley. Honorary pallbearers are the Sunday school members of the Southeast Baptist Church Hallelujah Class.
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