Ray Berry Reece's Obituary
It’s not the miles on this body, it’s the route I took.
Ray Berry Reece, beloved father, grandfather, brother, and friend to all, peacefully left this world on January 29, 2026 while surrounded by his family. He was 80 years old.
Ray was born to Willard Hoke Reece and Mary Vera Curtis Reece in Atlanta. Ray grew up in the Grove Park area and attended West Fulton High School.
Earlier in life, Ray attended Pebblebrook Baptist Church and later moved to Pickett’s Mill Baptist Church.
A talented craftsman, Ray spent his working years honing his craft in various upholstery businesses. Ray especially enjoyed working on antique furniture. His motto was, “If it was upholstered once, it can be again. And if you hold still enough, I could even upholster you!”
Ray found peace outdoors, whether it was fishing, hunting, working in the yard, or riding his lawnmower. His grandbabies and great-grandbabies all have fond memories of riding on the mower with Granddaddy.
Always the life of the party, Ray could captivate an audience with his life’s story and tales from the past. He has had more trials in his life than most, but he always persevered and never lost his joy. His hardships made him a more caring and tenderhearted person, and he was always sympathetic to others' needs.
Ray was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Lynda Marlene Reece; and siblings, Ann Beal, Lorene West, Dorothy Post, and Larry Reece.
He is survived by his children, Jerri Wood (Glenn) of Dallas and Tim Reece (Kathy) of Bremen; brother, Dennis Reece (Judy) of Bremen; grandchildren, Katelyn Stanford (Chris), Natalie Lehman (Nick), Craig Wood (Faith), Dylan Reece (Caleigh), Gabriella Reid (Ethan); great-grandchildren, Nathan and Charlotte Stanford; and many beloved extended family and friends.
The family will receive friends for visitation on Monday, February 2, from 11:00 to 1:00 PM at Davis-Struempf Funeral Home.
A funeral service honoring Ray’s life will be held at 1:00 PM in Davis-Struempf Chapel with Pastor Dennis Reece officiating.
Interment will follow the service at Mt. Harmony Memorial Gardens.
Flowers are kindly accepted, however, in lieu of flowers, donations in Ray’s memory can be made to the American Cancer Society at https://www.cancer.org, or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org.
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