Ray Weatherford

MR. RAY WEATHERFORDMr. Edward Ray Weatherford, 73, died peacefully, surrounded by his family, Monday, January 6, 2003, at his residence on Sunset Avenue, following an extended illness.Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday at 12:30 P.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Brother Curtis Dowdy and Brother Johnny Mack Young officiating. Burial will be in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Tuesday from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home.Notes of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.oakesandnichols.com.Memorials may be made to Hospice of Highland Rim, Highland Church of Christ Building Fund, or the American Heart Association.The Lynnville native was the son of the late John Weatherford, Sr. and Bessie Mae Callahan Weatherford. He was a 1947 graduate of Columbia Central High School. He was retired from Pirelli & Armstrong Tire Corporation and was a part-time people greeter at Wal-Mart. He was a member of Highland Church of Christ.Survivors include his loving and devoted wife of fifty-three years, Jo Ann Roberts Weatherford of Columbia, one daughter, Dianne Weatherford of Columbia; one son, Dennis Ray (Tina) Weatherford of Columbia; one brother, John (Betty Guy) Weatherford, Jr. of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, three sisters, Margaret (T.K.) Rich of Columbia, Linda Weatherford of Nashville, Betty Hubbell of Culleoka; four grandsons, Brad Cole, Ben Weatherford, John Michael Weatherford and Daniel Weatherford all of Columbia; and one sister-in-law, Sara Weatherford of Columbia.He was preceded in death by two sisters, Okie Mayo and Hazel Roland, and one brother, Don Weatherford.Pallbearers will be Larry Jennette, Alfred Martin, Sr., Jim Beck, Tommy Mayo, Steve Parker, Jack Chapman, Rick Pipkin and Walter Hurt. Honorary pallbearers will be retirees of Pirelli & Armstrong Tire Corporation, People Greeters at Wal-Mart, Elders & Deacons of Highland Church of Christ, Dr. Janice Vinson and Dr. Jamie Slandzicky.