Obituary for Ray Vernon Bryson

Ray Vernon Bryson, age 64, of the Ranger Community, permanently changed his address to his Heavenly home with his Savior on the morning of Wednesday, September 4, 2024.

Born in Unaka to Robert Verlon Bryson and Marry Bonnie Carter Bryson on April 5. 1960, he was the baby of eleven children. He married the love of his life, Glenda, in April of 1981, and together they welcomed two daughters in the years that followed.

He was a Jack-of-all-trades and mastered them all. There was nothing he couldn’t fix or do! He worked many hard years to provide for his family and was happily enjoying retirement. He thoroughly enjoyed walking in the woods and trails with his dog, Dodger, tinkering in his shed, and drinking coffee as often as possible, but his favorite activity was anything he was able to do for and/ or with his grandbabies.

He was a faithful member of Household of Faith Baptist Church and could be found there, tapping his toe to the music, every time the doors were open. His favorite hymn was “Heaven’s Jubilee”.

There is not a person who knew Ray who will be untouched by his passing, for to know him was to love him. More than anything, he would want those who knew him to be assured of their Salvation through Jesus, so that he can one day be reunited with them in Heaven.

He leaves behind a family who loves and will miss him deeply: his loving wife, Glenda Taylor Bryson: his two beloved daughters and sons-in-love, Amy and Cliff Queen, Holly and Preston Mashburn; grandchildren, Kimi Queen, Presly Mashburn, and Beau Mashburn. He also leaves behind his sisters, whom he was so close to: Ruby (Glen) Dockery, Reba Hughes, Rita Faye (Bill) Simpson, Rowena (Frank) Adams, and Ruthie Welch, along with many nieces, nephews, and special in-laws and friends.

Amongst those gone on before him are his mother and father; his parents-in-love, Creed and Gertrude Taylor: three brothers, William Midgett, Benny Midgett, and Arnold Rogers; and one sister, Irene Midgett Hartley.

Visitation services will be held at Household of Faith Baptist Church in Ranger, from 12 to 1pm on September 7, 2024. Funeral Services will be held at the church at 1pm immediately following the visitation, with Pastor Freddie Maney and Pastor Preston Mashburn officiating. The burial will be in the Mashburn Cemetery. Special signing will be provided by Culberson Baptist Church. Pallbearers will be Tommy Taylor, Glen Maney, David Taylor, Silas Shields, Cliff Queen, and Jeff Raper. Honorary pallbearers will be Richard Mashburn, Rays’s many brothers-in -love on both sides of the family, and his many nephews on both sides, as well.

The grief on this side of Heaven is almost unbearable, but we praise God that Ray is rejoicing in the presence of the Savior, and that our “goodbyes” will not be permanent! “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” Corinthians 5:8

In Lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made to Gideons International.

Townson-Rose Funeral Home, Murphy in charge of all arrangements.


You may send tributes to the family at www.townson-rose.com