Ray Hoard

Died: July 17, 2008

MORRISTOWN -- Jessee "Ray" Hoard, 73, of Morristown, died Thursday.

"He was a loving, Christian husband and father, who was of the Baptist tradition of faith," his family stated. "He went to be with the Lord."

After working 36 years at Lea Industries he proudly obtained his GED at the age of 71.

He is survived by wife of 45 years: Helen Johnson Hoard; his son and daughter-in-law: David and Jennifer Hoard; a daughter and son-in-law: Lisa Renee and Allen Maples; a granddaughter: Heather Marcum; three stepgrandchildren: Ace Holt, Sam Holt, and Carrie Cobb; four sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law: Cora Hoard of Greeneville, Zona Lamb of Church Hill, Irene Mowell of Bulls Gap, and Elsie and Guy Mowell of Rogersville; and special caregivers: the "caring and supportive" staff of Smoky Mountain Hospice.

He was preceded in death by his parents: James Frank and Nettie Dodson Hoard; and three brothers: Hobart Hoard, Clyde Hoard, and Leonard Hoard.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. today at Stubblefield Funeral Home in Morristown.

A graveside service will be held at 3 o'clock Sunday afternoon in Hamblen Memory Gardens. Dr. Larry Parrott and the Rev. Todd Jennings will officiate.