Alyce Ray

Alyce Ruth Sloan was born near Dora, Alabama on April 16, 1942. She was so tiny that her grandmother used a shoe box for a crib!

Her mother and father divorced when she was about 3. Her mother remarried and regained custody of Alyce, her brother Joe and her sister Jimmie Lou. They moved to Holley, Florida.  Alice was saved at Billory Baptist Church in Holley, Florida, and baptized in the East Bay at the age of 9.

She taught Sunday School in her teens at Billory Baptist. As she got into her late teens she was in a pen pal club, writing to several girls around the country. She was given a soldier's name and address. He was serving in Germany. His name was David Ray. After he returned to the US he went to Florida for a visit. They fell in love and were soon married, on December 26, 1959 in her home church. He was 21 and still in the Army, she was 17.

Their first daughter, Kathryn was born in 1960. They lived in Columbus, GA. At the time, later moved to Atlanta, then Forest Park, GA., and much later to the mountains. While living in Forest Park their second daughter, Evelyn was born in 1964.  Alyce was a substitute teacher in Phenix City, Alabama when they lived in Columbus.

She taught in Forest Park, served as a Girl Scout Leader, a 4H Club Leader, and worked in politics, campaigning for Richard Nixon and Newt Gingrich, among others. She and David lived in Forest Park for 30 years, then moved full-time in 2004 to Mineral Bluff, GA. Soon after they joined First Baptist Church of McCaysville. She served as a substitute teacher in her Sunday School Class for sometime, then asked to be the regular teacher. She served in this capacity until she felt she could no longer give it the effort it required due to her health.

She had back surgery in 2009, another to 2010. Later, in 2015 she injured a place in her back, then again in 2016. After the last one she wasn't able to attend church for some time. David stayed home with her so she could worship at the comfort of her own home through TV and internet. Also, David didn't want her to feel alone not being able to attend. In 2016, she started using a walker. Severely limiting her mobility but they were glad it didn't come to her using a wheelchair.

Home Going services for Alyce R. Sloan Ray are scheduled for Friday, February 10, 2023 at 2pm at the First Baptist Church of McCaysville in McCaysville, Georgia with Dr. David Drake officiating. The family will receive friends at the church on Friday, February 10, 2023 from 1pm until 2pm. Interment will follow the service in Crestlawn Cemetery.

Cochran Funeral Homes honored to serve the family of Alyce R. Sloan Ray. You may sign the guest register and leave a condolence at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com