Obituary of Ray Samuel Simonds

Ray Simonds of the Maple Springs community, Bryson City, NC made his earthly passing May 14, 2016. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Nola and James Simonds; brothers, Harold, Edward and J.C. Simonds; baby sister, Mary Jane Simonds; daughter, Lynda Ellen Simonds; and his first granddaughter, Kendra Lorraine Bashaw. Ray is survived by his wife of 63 years, Shirley Temple; his sons, Douglas Ray Simonds and wife Olof from Iceland, and Kenneth Wayne Simonds; two sisters, Ethel Breedlove of Bryson City and Mary Sue Bailey of Waynesville; brothers, Don Simonds of Bryson City; two grandsons, Asgeir Thor and Johnnie Ray Simonds; one granddaughter, Shirley Nola Simonds; five great granddaughters and one on the way; two great grandsons; and 38 nieces and nephews. Ray was a US Army veteran where he served as an A.A.A. Gun Crewman. He was a great outdoorsman and avid hunter and fisherman. "Give him a cane pole and he would bring you dinner." He worked at Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, MI for 30 years then retired and came back home. Ray held every position in on or the other of the three churches he was a member of in Michigan or North Carolina except being a Preacher Man like his dad was. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Crisp Funeral Home is assisting the family.