Marshall E. Ray, Sr.

Retired Chief Steward Marshall Edward Ray Jr., of Portsmouth, VA passed early Sunday morning on December 9, 2018 surrounded by his family. Affectionally known as Chief Ray, he was born on July 8, 1924 to the late Marshall E. Ray Sr., and the late Mamie Chisolm Ray in a small bayou community in Houma, Louisiana.  Chief Ray joined the US Navy in September 1941 and was assigned to the USS Hornet October 1941. He served during the World War II, and the Korean War.

While serving on the USS Hornet Chief Ray became part of a top-secret mission to test if Army bombers could take off successfully from the flight deck. The mission was successful.  On April 18, 1942 sixteen B-25 Army bombers launched from the flight deck of the USS Hornet for a mission known as the “Jimmy Doolittle” raids.  He was aboard the USS Hornet during the Battle of Midway, the battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, and the Guadalcanal campaign.  In 1945 Chief Ray was stationed on the island Tinian of the Marianas Arch south of Japan.  It was from this location that Army Air Force bombers flew from there and dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan which Japan later surrendered, ending the war in the Pacific.  After his serving twenty-one years in the Navy, Chief Ray was employed by the Department of Defense.  He also attended Tidewater Community College for two years studying Accounting.

Chief Ray married his wife, the late Gloria Stokes, on July 9, 1954, while stationed in Norfolk, VA.  His Sister-in-law, Jacqueline Stokes Brown (Aunt Jack)

recalls her father, the late Douglas Stokes, asking him to take care of his daughter Gloria and her younger sisters after his passing, which he did.   Out of their union were born seven children Rev. Anthony Ray of Charlotte, NC, Linda (Leon) Blount Portsmouth, VA, Rev. Mamie (Elder Garry) of Portsmouth, VA,  Marshall (Brenda) Ray of Williamsburg, VA, Douglas Ray (deceased), Gloria Ray, Portsmouth, VA, and Jacqueline Butts, Portsmouth, VA. Chief Ray also was the father of Deacon Edward Branch of Houma, LA

Chief Ray, later in life, accepted Jesus Christ into his life.  He began attending church with a friend and watch several Ministers on television. Chief Ray was preceded in death by his brother Norman Ray Sr. and sister, Rose Jones.  Chief Ray was known as “Granddad” to 22 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.  He was also known as Uncle Ray and Mr. Ray to a host of nephews, nieces and lifelong friends.