Clarence Raynor

Clarence Ray Raynor; affectionately known as Ray, was born on May 10, 1933 in Ahoskie, North Carolina
to the late Timothy Raynor and Cleo Pittman. He transitioned this life on January 7, 2021 at Christiana
Hospital, in Newark, Delaware.
Ray received his early education in North Carolina and was a hard worker from an early age; helping to
support his family. In 1965 in search of better opportunities he moved to Wilmington, Delaware where
one of his sisters already resided. Ray was very industrious and he held a few jobs before becoming
employed and eventually retired from the City of Wilmington.
Anybody that knew Ray knew he loved a good time; and after many years of enjoying life and the
partying; he settled down and joined Mount Zion Holy Christian Church (currently Mount Zion Greater
Harvest Ministries, Int'l) under Apostle Dr. Robert Revelle Sr., where he served faithfully with the kitchen
committee and he loved to cook that down home food with his pardn'ers in aprons (Jeanette Evans and
Joan Lemons).
Ray liked his music; especially good ole fashioned gospel music; The Five Blind Boys; Mahalia Jackson;
and the Mighty Clouds of Joy - lately his favorite song was "That Will Be Good Enough for Me" by Rance
Allen, he loved his soul food, family and friends.
He was a consummate family man; he met Josephine Torrence almost immediately after arriving in
Wilmington where they began a romance and were married some years later; producing one child
together but he raised her other seven children as his own.
Ray was preceded in death by his first wife; Annie Raynor; and his second wife, Josephine who passed in
1983. Brothers; Luther M., Leon and Herman Raynor; sisters, Lillian Bazemore, Alma Sessoms, Bernice
Powell, and Hazel Graham. His favorite nephew Rudolph Sessoms; children, Delores Maryland, William
Maryland, and Albert Torrence. One granddaughter; Kareema Bailey.
He leaves to cherish precious memories; his children; Patricia Cain, Clarence (Jack) Raynor Jr., Thomas
Raynor, Melody Maryland, Rosalee Parris, Michael Maryland, Raymond Raynor, Terrence Stevens; 23
grandchildren; Celita, Danita, Micheal, Jazmine, Jawaan, Latasha, Christina, Dakevis, Justin, Curtis,
Channelle, LaKia, Tykira, DaQuan; Algier; Shaqueal, Sean, and Malik, 36- great grandchildren; his favorite
niece Jerri Cherry; a favorite nephew; Stanley Avant Sr., and a host of nieces and nephews; relatives and friends.