Life Reflections

James Ray (Ray) was born on March 8, 1971, as the son of Elsie
and the late James Joshua Armstead, Sr. He grew up in Tuscumbia,
Alabama, and was the seventh of twelve children born to Elsie
Armstead. He attended school in the Tuscumbia City school system
and graduated from Deshler High School. James Ray was a member
of Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church Tuscumbia where he
was an usher, helped in the kitchen, and was always willing to assist
in any capacity.
Ray was always willing to help! Before his illness, every Monday, rain,
sleet, or snow, you could find James Ray at the Locust Shores Volunteer
Fire Department where he would help with the grocery list. Ray was
also given the responsibility of audiotape distribution by Reverend
Jerry Reeves at the Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church. Ray
was loved by everyone, and he never met a stranger.
As a young man, Ray was employed at Big Star grocery store in
Tuscumbia where he stocked groceries. If anyone needed something,
he could give them the aisle and shelf of any item located in the
store. He enjoyed getting out and meeting people, he enjoyed grocery
shopping, and he enjoyed helping the elderly with their daily routines.
Ray took care of his business!
Ray had three second cousins who preceded him in death, Molly
Beavers, Dorothy Beavers, and Mattie Ruth Beavers. They were like
surrogate mothers to him. With his mother's permission, he lived
with and helped all three sisters and cared for Molly until her death.
Also preceding Ray in death were his father, James Joshua Armstead,
Sr.; brothers, Eugene Armstead and James Joshua Armstead, Jr.;
sister, Cynthia Denise Armstead; and a baby girl, Armstead.
James Ray leaves to cherish his memory, his mother: Mrs. Elsie
Armstead, Tuscumbia, Alabama; Seven Siblings, Hamidullah (Teresa),
Detroit, Michigan, Sadie Decatur, Sheffield, Alabama; Charles Pride,
Muscle Shoals, Alabama; Ann (Steven) Fuqua Rogersville, Alabama;
Willie Lewis Armstead, Pennsylvania; Jimmy (Melissa) Armstead,
Muscle Shoals, Alabama and Terry Armstead, San Antonio, Texas;
He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Transitory Service Rendered By: Grace Memorial Funeral Home- Sheffield, Alabama