RAY E. BEST
June 14, 1936-March 2, 2009
Retired Master Sgt. Ray Eugene (Ray E.) Best, 72, of Kileen, Texas, formerly of Goldsboro, passed from mortal stay on March 2, 2009, at his residence.
Eulogistic services will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at Best Chapel Wayne. Burial with full military honors will follow in the Broadhurst Cemetery.
He was born in Wayne County on June 14, 1936, to the late John David Best Sr. and Classie Best Hines. Ray attended Central High School in Goldsboro. Ray was a bus driver and played basketball. He was a 1956 graduate.
He enlisted in the United States Army two days after graduation. His various assignments included Korea, Germany, Vietnam and Italy. He retired with an honorable discharge after 22 years. During his term, he received many awards which included the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Ray retired at Fort Hood, Texas, and made his home in Kileen, Texas, until his death. He worked for supply and storage with Fort Hood Directorate of Public Works and retired after 40 years of federal service. His awards included the Achievement Medal for Civilian Service.
He was a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9191.
He was preceded in death by five brothers, John David, Henry Allen, Willie Russell and Alphonoso Best; and three nephews.
He is survived by one daughter, Elonna Renere Ebron of Washington; two sisters, Lueada Dawson and Mary Frances Uzzell, both of Goldsboro; one brother, Jonah Joseph Best of Goldsboro; five nieces; four nephews including his favorite, Master Sgt. Bobby Best of Waipahu, Hawaii; and a host of other relatives and friends.
His special friends include James Walker, Ella Clark, Henderson Skinner, Juan Waldren, John Kornegay and the class of 1956 Central High School.
A visitation will be held Thursday from 2 to 6 p.m. with the family present to receive friends from 5 to 6 p.m. at McIntyre Funeral Home Ministries, Goldsboro. The family will receive friends at other times at 1104 S. Slocumb St. where they will also assemble in preparation for the funeral procession.
Online condolences may be posted at www.mcintyrefh.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on March 13, 2009 1:47 PM