of Marshall, AR
March 4, 1931 - March 25, 2021
Paul Ray Lee, age 90 of Marshall, Arkansas passed from this life on Thursday, March 25th, 2021 at Ozark Health in Clinton, Arkansas. He was born in Marshall, Arkansas on March 4th, 1931 to Troy Lee and Eva Treat Lee.
Paul Ray was a member of the Grandview Church of Christ. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who will be dearly missed by his family. Paul Ray married the love of his life, Mary Frances Reeves on July 14th, 1951. This year would have been their 70th wedding anniversary. As a young man, Paul Ray enlisted in the US Army and served at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri during the Korean War. He was trained on building roads and bridges and how to quickly destroy them. He was promoted to First Sergeant and was in charge of teaching these skills to hundreds of soldiers during his time at Fort Leonard Wood. After he left the Army, Paul Ray worked as a sheet rock finisher and started his own business in Elgin, Illinois, where they lived until 1968. They then moved back to Marshall to live on their farm. Paul Ray enjoyed working; he worked as a plumber's apprentice for a few years and then became a master plumber, which he worked at until he became Searcy County Judge in 1997. He served as County Judge until 2005. He loved his time in office and enjoyed working with the people of Searcy County. Paul Ray loved to work on his farm and he enjoyed making a large garden every year. He was a simple quiet man who loved his family and loved serving the Lord.
Survivors include his wife of almost 70 years, Mary Frances Reeves Lee of the home; son, Kevin Lee of Marshall; daughters, Cathy Barranger of Fort Walton, Florida and Laura Busbee and husband Jug of Marshall; grandchildren, David (Angie) Bohannon of Fayetteville, Paula (Daniel) Eddington of Fort Walton, Florida, Jenna (Caleb) Brenaman of Marshall, Dylan Busbee and fiancée, Courtney Smith of Arkadelphia, Josh (Allison) Williamson of Marshall and Alyssa Busbee of Marshall; great grandchildren, Izzy Bohannon, Brian Cook, Cady Bohannon, Will Eddington, Mila Brenaman and Whitley Williamson; and many other family members and friends who will also mourn his passing.
Paul Ray is preceded in death by his parents, Troy and Eva Lee; son, Steve Lee; infant son, Randall Lee; and siblings, Oscar Lee, Billy Lee and Nadine Griffith.
Funeral services for Paul Ray will be 2:00 PM Monday, March 29th, 2021 at Roller-Coffman Chapel in Marshall, Arkansas with Bro. Foy Whitelaw officiating. Music will be led by Ronnie Treadwell. Visitation will be 1:00 till 2:00 PM preceding the service. Burial will be in East Lawn Cemetery. Bearers will be David Bohannon, Brian Cook, Dylan Busbee, Josh Williamson, Caleb Brenaman and Mike Cash.
While the capacity limitations have been lifted for our state in regards to large gatherings we are still doing our part to stop the spread of COVID-19 and all attendees must provide their own masks and wear before entering. We are also practicing social distancing.
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49 Condolence(s)
James Daniel
Wednesday, March 31, 2021
I knew Paul Ray, Billy, and Nadine. They were fine people and I am honored and proud to have been able to spend some time with them as we traveled together on this Earth. RIP Paul Ray.
Teresa Jeff Smith
Tuesday, March 30, 2021
Laura you and your whole family are in our thoughts and prayers May your dad Rest In Peace.
Love Jeff & Teresa Smith
Mark and Lucinda Baysinger
Tuesday, March 30, 2021
We are so sorry about Paul Ray. He was a great man and neighbor to us. Love, Mark, Lucinda and Joe Baysinger
Berry Beavers
Tuesday, March 30, 2021
Rest in peace Paul Ray. A good man. He will be missed.
Wes & Sheila Sossamon
Tuesday, March 30, 2021
We are so sorry to hear of Paul Ray’s passing. Wes and I both thought the world of him. May God’s peace be with you. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.ðŸ™
Debra Rains
Monday, March 29, 2021
We are so sorry for your loss. May God's abundant grace carry you through.
Harold Young
Sunday, March 28, 2021
So sorry for your loss and so many fond memories of the entire family Paul’s mom and dad and my mom and dad Paul’s brother Oscar and my brother Lee Paul’s brother Bill and me. God bless you all. Love. Harold and Susie
Kim Horton
Sunday, March 28, 2021
I have such wonderful memories at Paul Ray and Mary’s house growing up. I spent many nights there, and they always made me feel like one of their own!! Laura, sweet friend, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers!! May God comfort you all like only He can. I love you. â¤ï¸
Sara Jo Fendley
Sunday, March 28, 2021
Mary and family, So sad to learn of Paul Ray's passing. Enjoyed so much being with you both as we worked for causes important to our county and country. Paul Ray was a wonderful county judge and did so much to help all the citizens of Searcy County. We will miss him and his dry sense of humor. My love in Christ to you all!
Cecila Hill
Sunday, March 28, 2021
So very sorry for you and your family’s loss. Paul will be dearly missed by all who knew him. May God be near and comfort each of you during this time of sorrow and bring your heart peace in the coming days.
Valorie Passmore
Sunday, March 28, 2021
So very sorry for your loss!! Paul Ray was always such a truly kind man!! You all are in my thoughts and prayers now and the days to come!!ðŸ™ðŸ»ðŸ™ðŸ»ðŸ™ðŸ»â¤ï¸â¤ï¸â¤ï¸
Joel Ratchford
Sunday, March 28, 2021
Sorry to hear about Paul Ray's passing. He has been a good friend and neighbor for many years.
Leyon Bratton
Sunday, March 28, 2021
So sorry Mary. Prayers and thoughts are with you and family.
Darryl Treat
Sunday, March 28, 2021
My condolences to the family for the loss of a very good Christian man and community leader.
Diane Butler Bohannon
Sunday, March 28, 2021
My condolences to the family. Prayers for Gods comforting hand to be upon you all.
Lucille Bryan Lee Maroney
Sunday, March 28, 2021
My love and prayers for all the family. I respected Paul and found him to be a very kind and honest man. There must be a special place for him in Heaven.
Pat Halsted
Saturday, March 27, 2021
My heartfelt prayer of peace and comfort for your entire family at this difficult time.
Holli & Bryan Brannon
Saturday, March 27, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Paul Ray was very special man, and he will be greatly missed. May God’s peace and love lift you during this difficult time.
Bill and Zebbie McBride
Saturday, March 27, 2021
We were so sorry to hear of the loss of Paul. He was a very kind man. Our thoughts and prayers are with his sweet family.
Twilia Steen
Saturday, March 27, 2021
Laura, Mary, and Family sorry for your loss. Paul Ray will be missed.
Chad/ Melissa Tyler
Saturday, March 27, 2021
Our deepest sympathy and prayers to our friends during this time. May God give you the comphort and peace that only He can give.
Angie Johnson
Saturday, March 27, 2021
Mary abd family,
Paul Ray was such a kind, honest, and good man. I know he’s strolling in Heaven right now but I’m so sorry you are missing him. You are in my thoughts and prayers and will remain there in the coming days.
Rebecca Patterson
Saturday, March 27, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and family in this time of loss. May God give you all peace and comfort.
James & Rebecca Patterson
Barbara and Gary West
Saturday, March 27, 2021
Our sincere condolences to Mary and her family in the loss of Paul Ray! I worked with Paul Ray on the Community Center Board. He was always a true gentleman and I feel blessed to have known him Mary is such a kind soul Our thoughts and prayers for the family
Debbie Watts
Friday, March 26, 2021
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. May your memories bring you comfort in the days ahead
Eddie, and Kathy Morrison
Friday, March 26, 2021
We are so sorry to hear about Paul passing away. Mary, and Laura, we send you all our deepest sympathy and prayers.
Debbie Mcdaniel and harold blackwell
Friday, March 26, 2021
We are so sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you
Daniel Lee
Friday, March 26, 2021
My heartfelt love and condolences to Pauls family and friends. I am happy that Paul is now in his eternal home and look forward to seeing him again! Thank you Jesus Christ for making the way for us. My prayers go out for his family for strength and courage in their time of loss, I love you all.
Kay Branscum and Pauline Blough
Friday, March 26, 2021
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Jim Arnold
Friday, March 26, 2021
It was a pleasure to serve with Paul in the courthouse for many years! He was a great friend!! Our prayers are with you Mary and the family!
John & Linda Watts
Friday, March 26, 2021
Mary & Family, We are so sorry during this sad time for you. I enjoyed working with him when he was County Judge. He was a true gentleman and I will always remember him. We pray God will give you comfort and peace. You guys are forever in our hearts and prayers
John & Linda Watts
Troy&Peggy
Friday, March 26, 2021
So sorry for your loss he will be missed .Sending prayers up for your family ðŸ™
Sid and Lea Ann Tudor Lowrance
Friday, March 26, 2021
We are so sorry to hear of your loss of Paul. We will keep you all in our prays! May God bless you all! Paul was a GREAT man for our county!
Albert & Anna Maze
Friday, March 26, 2021
Our sincere condolences to you Mary and your families. Having worked with Paul in the County Judge Office for a while, I found him to always be courteous and professional. He was sincere in his faith to God. Our prayers are with you all.
Toby Long
Thursday, March 25, 2021
So sorry for your loss! Heaven gained another good man!! Praying for the families.
Sherri Ragland
Thursday, March 25, 2021
Laura, I'm so very sorry for your loss dear. Your dad was such a sweet man. I know your sweet momma is heartbroken and I will be praying for God to wrap his arms of comfort around all of y'all during this difficult time.
Shirley J. Gray
Thursday, March 25, 2021
My heart and prayers are with the family. Paul was a very special person and a man that I called a friend.
Coy & Sue Horton
Thursday, March 25, 2021
Mary and family our thoughts and prayers are with you . Paul Ray will certainly be missed.
Barbara Smith
Thursday, March 25, 2021
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with each one of you. May God Bless.
Julie and Ron Stoops
Thursday, March 25, 2021
Laura and family we are so sorry for your loss.
Bentley and Bethel Massey
Thursday, March 25, 2021
Mary and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Paul
passing....praying for comfort and strength during this difficult time..
Carla Kelley
Thursday, March 25, 2021
Sending thoughts & prayers. He was a good man.
Carla Kelley
Thursday, March 25, 2021
Sending thoughts & prayers. He was a good man.
Renee Walsh
Thursday, March 25, 2021
I’m so sorry to hear about his passing. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
I remember him coming to the Daisy Queen when I worked there as a teenager. One particular evening it was really slow and there was no one in there or so I thought. I had the radio turned up and was singing loud while mopping the floor and when I turned around, there he stood at the counter. He laughed and said it was good singing. From then on every time he came in or if he saw me in town he would ask me if I was going to sing a song. He was a kind person.
Praying for you all.
Wesley and Loretta Smithj
Thursday, March 25, 2021
I'm really sorry to hear this. Paul and I became pretty good buddies during our time in the courthouse. Wishing the best for Mary and family. 💕
James and Jeri White
Thursday, March 25, 2021
Our deepest sympathy. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers
Jimmy and Patsy Treat
Thursday, March 25, 2021
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Rob Morton
Thursday, March 25, 2021
My sincere condolences to the family.
Bruce Stewart
Thursday, March 25, 2021
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and all who mourn his passing.