John "Ray" Gupton

ROANOKE RAPIDS John Ray Gupton, 73, passed away June 16, 2012, at Wake Medical Center in Raleigh, NC following several years of declining health. He fought a courageous battle until the end.

Many knew him best as Papa Ray or Relay Ray. He was known for his contagious humor and kind and gentle manner.

He was born on August 17, 1938 in Nash County, to the late Raymond and Julie Mae Gupton. He was also preceded in death by two of his brothers, Paul and Carl.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of fifty-three years, Virginia; his son, Ken Gupton and his wife Lisa; his daughter, Robin Clay and her husband Frankie; his son Ricky Gupton and his wife Sherrie; his five grandchildren, Jessica Clements and her husband Luke, John Michael Gupton, Derrick Clay and his fianc Crystal, Samantha Gupton and Tyler Gupton; his great-grandson, Gage Clay; his sister, Vivian Taylor and her late husband, Gus; his brother, Russell Gupton and his wife Carolyn; his late sister-in-law, Mary Morgan and her husband, Clyde; his late brother-in-law, Frankie Barnes and his late wife Judy; his brother-in-law Rev. James Blackburn and his wife, Diane; his nieces, Deborah Hill and her husband, Wayne, Gene Clare and her husband, Kenny, Clair Russell and her husband, Neil, Renee Taylor and her husband, Mack; his nephews, Warren Blackburn and his wife, Melanie, Scott Taylor and his wife Mary Helen; Jeffrey Blackburn and his wife, Tonya, Jay Barnes and his wife, Gina, Jason Gupton and his wife Nikki; great nieces and nephews; other family, Marcella and James McCachren and Pat and David Spruill; many special friends; and pets Tweetie and Blue.

The family will receive friends Monday, June 18 from 7:00 9:00 p.m. at Hockaday Funeral & Cremation Service in Roanoke Rapids, which is handling the arrangements.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 19, 2:00 p.m. at Harvest Temple Pentecostal Holiness Church, with the Rev. Norwood Starling and Rev. Annie Marie Smith officiating. Internment will immediately follow in the Cedarwood Cemetery.