Ray McGarity

Saltillo - Ray McGarity, 67, died Wednesday, December 9, 2009, at his residence after an extended illness. A native of Reform, Ala., he was born October 25, 1942 to Williie and Mamie Gobar McGarity. He served his country for 32 years, 4 years in the U.S. Navy and was also retired from the National Guard after 28 years of service. Earlier in his life, he worked at Westinghouse while living in California. Most of his working career was spent at McAbee Construction in Tuscaloosa. He also worked as a supervisor at Johnson Tombigbee Furniture in Columbus and Airline Manufacting. Most recently he worked as an associate for both Wal-mart locations in Tupelo. He enjoyed fishing, Alabama football, the Atalanta Braves, and word search puzzles. He was a member of Greater Vision Ministries in Saltillo.

Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Arbor Springs Baptist Church in Reform, Ala. with Rev. Walter Prather Jr., Rev. Melvin Mordecai and Rev. Tony Smith officiating. Burial will be in Arbor Springs Cemetery. W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors in Saltillo is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife of 27 years, Alma McGarity of Saltillo; two daughters, Kerry Portis (Sylvester) of Olympia Washington and Mary Kimbrel of Saltillo; five grandchildren, Nikki Portis, Amanda Stacks (Richard), Ben Kimbrel, Becky Kimbrel, and Justin Kimbrel; two brothers, James McGarity (Blanche) of Talladega, Ala. and Donald McGarity (Peggy) of Reform, Ala.; three sisters, Juanita Noland of Tuscaloosa, Geneva Tunnell (Douglas) of Duncanville, Ala., and his twin sister, Faye Shaw (Carl) of Millport, Ala; special caregivers, Dwight and Lisa McGarity and Marcia McGarity; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Amy Catherine McGarity; and a grandson, Michael Kimbrel.

Pallbearers will be Danny Shaw, Dwight McGarity, Tommy Shaw, William Sullivan, Charles Shaw, Waylon Taylor, Freddy McGarity, and Mike Heritage.

Honorary Pallbearers will be employees of both Tupelo Wal-Mart locations; Lauren Babb, Sammy Graves; Unity Hospice; Dr. Matt Wilson, Dr. Arnell Palera, Dr. David Morris, Charles and Lula Kornegay, Gloria and Roger OMary, and Oneal McGarity

Visitation will be noon to 9 p.m. Friday at the Saltillo Chapel and will continue noon until service time Saturday at the church in Reform.

Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com