Former Mayor Kenneth L. Ray of Jemison was taken to his heavenly home on April 8, 2012, Easter Sunday.

He was born in Siluria on March 17, 1929, and grew up in Jemison, enlisting in the U. S. Navy in 1945 at the age of 15. He served his country on submarines for 21 years and retired. He later returned to Jemison with his family, where he served on the city council and then served as mayor for 12 years.

He is preceded in death by his father, Houston Ray; step-father, Henry Watson; mother, Lennie Lightsey Ray Watson; and grandson, Bobby Stevens. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Constance J. Snyder Ray; son, John Ray of Alabaster; daughters, Victoria Ray of California, Nancy Ray and Robin Ray of Jemison, and Laurie Ray Konrad (Chris) of Bellevue, Neb. He is also survived by his sisters, Shirley Watson Mims and Betty Watson Williams of Jemison. In addition, he is survived by grandchildren, Mark Crawford (Andrea) of Colorado and Mikel Delacour of California, Jennifer Miller of Birmingham, Mindy Miller Whittle (Mike) of Verbena, Chad Ray (Shonda) of Helena, Eric Konrad (Noelle) of Bellevue, Neb., Zachary Konrad (Katie) of Papillion, Neb., Teela Ray Chase (Jack) of Virginia Beach, Va., Christina Konrad of La Vista, Neb., Cody Miller of Jemison, Alex Ray of Alabaster and Marin Ray Glass (Clint) of Fairfield, Calif. Mayor Ray is also survived by great-grandchildren, Aubrey, Mylynn, Taija and Camen Delacour of California; Levi and Lacey Crawford of Colorado, Matelyn and Mahala Whittle of Verbena; Eli Ray of Helena; Lyric Ray and Liliana Glass of Fairfield, Calif.; and Daniel Konrad of Papillion, Neb.

A memorial service will take place at the Jemison City Hall Annex on Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m. A military burial service will take place at the National Veteran’s Cemetery in Montevallo on Friday morning at 10:15 a.m.