Obituary of Ray Gilmore

Ray Deward Gilmore, 84, of Fulton, Missouri, passed away on June 1, 2010, at the Fulton Nursing and Rehab. Ray was born on March 6, 1926, in Supply, Arkansas, to Roy and Anna Hilliard Gilmore. Ray worked most of his teen years on the family farm. In September of 1945, he joined the Army and served his country in World War II. After the war, he came back to the states where he met and married Ruby Smith in Pocahontas, Arkansas, on May 21, 1949. Ray and Ruby were married for 61 years. Ray worked in the sawmill industry for the Hopkin Brothers and then later factory work. He loved to drive and race stock cars, his one passion he talked about all his life. Ray and Ruby moved to Doniphan, Missouri, where Ray worked for many years for, and retired from, the Ripley County Road District. In 2004, Ray and Ruby moved to Fulton to be closer to his younger sister, Eunice and her family. Ray was always ready to tell you a story about his racecar days and how much mischief he got into as a young man. His family cannot remember a time when he did not own a dog as a pet. Stories about World War II were rare, but affected him greatly. Ray is survived by his wife, Ruby Gilmore, daughter Mable Jean; five grandchildren; several great-granchildren; his sister, Eunice McCaleb; several nieces and nephews and their families; his and Ruby's dog, Queenie. Ray was preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Akiko Gilmore; his brother, Wineford (Bo) Gilmore; and his parents. Visitation will begin at 11:00 A.M. Sunday, June 6, 2010, at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel in Doniphan. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 P.M. at the funeral home chapel, with Brother Hubert Payne officiating. Burial will be at the Oak Grove Cemetery. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.edwardsfuneralhome.org.