Mrs. Sarah Jean Ray

Mrs. Sarah Jean Ray, age 96, of Culloden, Georgia, passed away on Monday, November 2, 2026, at Atrium Health Navicent in Macon, Georgia.

Mrs. Ray was born on May 17, 1930, in Culloden, Georgia. She was a 1948 graduate of Yatesville High School. She worked as a self-employed beautician before her retirement. On April 20, 1971, she married Eric Lloyd Ray, and throughout their marriage, they made their home in several places, including Georgia, North Dakota, Alaska, Louisiana, and Italy. While her husband worked for AAFES, Mrs. Ray enjoyed volunteering on the military bases where he was stationed, giving her time to help others and becoming involved in the communities where they lived.

After returning to Culloden, Mrs. Ray remained active in her hometown and took great pride in its history and heritage. She was known by many as a local historian, and she enjoyed sharing stories and preserving the history of the community she loved. She served for over 9 years as a member of the City Council of Culloden retiring at 92 years old. Mrs. Ray also had a special affection for animals, particularly cats, and always had a soft spot in her heart for them. She was a member of Culloden Methodist Church, now known as Culloden Historical Community Church.

Although Mrs. Ray never had children of her own, she was blessed with a special family in her niece and nephew whom she called her children, Martha and Harold Ray of Augusta, Arkansas, and their son whom she called as a grandson, Eric (Brittany) Ray, their daughter, Brooke Emerson Ray, all of whom she loved as her own. Her niece, Teresa (Bobby) Wheeler; her cousins, Gail (John) Sheffield and Ronnie (Doris) Mitchell, other cousins, nieces, nephews, and a special friend, Bettye King also survive.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lemuel Eugene Baggarley and Vallie Mitchell Baggarley, her husband, Eric Lloyd Ray, and her brother Bobby Baggarley.

Funeral services for Mrs. Ray will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Culloden Historical Community Church, with the Rev. Arianna Eberle and the Rev. Wade Corley officiating. Interment will follow in Culloden City Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, prior to the service.

Fletcher-Day Funeral Home is honored to serve the Ray family. Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at fletcherdayfuneralhome.com.