Ray E. Whitlow

Ray E. Whitlow, age 74 of Germantown, TN, formerly of Paris, died Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, TN.

He pastored McDavid Grove Baptist Church in Springville, TN, for 18 years, where he loved his church members.  He retired from the State of Tennessee’s Economic & Community Development Office in Jackson, TN, and he formerly worked for a short time as Director of the Chamber of Commerce in Paris.  He also worked in the garment industry for 30 years moving up to the head of the company working in and out of the Dominican Republic.  Ray attended Union University where he was a star basketball player.  He enjoyed golfing and loved working in his yard and flowers, so he could receive the “yard of the month” award.

Ray was born October 30, 1946, in Mayfield, KY, to the late William “Billy” Whitlow and the late Linda Edwards Whitlow.

He was married to Randy Freeland Whitlow, who survives, of Germantown, TN.

Along with his wife, he is also survived by his five children, Tessa (Roscoe) Davis of Trenton, TN, Lee Lynn (Keith) Campbell of Bolivar, TN, Leslie Sheehan of Germantown, TN, Rob (Elizabeth) Whitlow of Olive Branch, MS, and Emily Whitlow of Nashville, TN; one sister, Judy Rhines of Sedalia, KY; one brother, David Whitlow of Jackson, TN; 12 grandchildren, Aubry Jones, Abby Robbins, Cameron Robbins, Harper Davis, Kayla Kessler, Katie (Dillon) Bishop, Colby Campbell, Caroline Campbell, Ryan Henderson, Megan Henderson, Dallas Whitlow, and Macon Whitlow; and three great grandchildren, Jayden Kessler, Kasey Finn Bishop, and Jordyn Ruff.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by two grandchildren, Kasey Kessler and Lindsey Henderson.

Arrangements are being handled by Ridgeway Funeral Home, 201 Dunlap St/PO Box 788, Paris, TN 38242.  Visitation will be Monday, June 14, 2021, from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm at McDavid Grove Baptist Church, 10430 Highway 69 South, Springville, TN 38256.  The funeral service will be Monday, June 14, 2021, at 6:00 pm at McDavid Grove Baptist Church, with Chad Kennedy officiating.

Cremation will follow the service.

Memorials may be made to the Kasey Kessler Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Centennial Bank in Bolivar, TN.