Ernest Ray Garland

Ernest ?Ray' Garland, 88, of Johnson City died Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at the Johnson City Medical Center. He was a native of Burnsville, NC, son of the late Herbert Mack and Mary Jane Stevens Garland. Ray served his country in the U. S. Navy right after WWII. He was a member of the Unaka Avenue Baptist Church. Ray retired as a conductor for the Clinchfield Rail Road after 32 years of service. He was a pastor, who had served several churches including Oak Drive Baptist in Lynn Garden during the forty years of his ministry. Ray also was director of Hope Have Mission in Kingsport. In addition to his parents, his loving wife of 51 years, Josephine H. Garland (2007) and a brother and sister-in-law, Walter and Anna Belle Garland preceded him in death. Survivors include: two nieces, Brenda K. Coleman and Carolyn Taylor; a great niece, Deanna Byers; special friends, Roger and Lori Gray; several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews also survive. The family will receive friends on Sunday, August 28, 2016 from 11:00 am until time of service at 1:00 pm. The funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 pm under the direction of Minister Roger Gray in the Dogwood Chapel. A committal service will follow in the Roselawn Memory Gardens a 2:00 pm. Active pallbearers will be: Jeffrey Coleman, Tomorrow White, Andrew Byers, Charles Pierson, Jack Meeks and Roger Gray.