Van Buren Johnson Ray, Jr.

AIKEN, SC -- VAN BUREN J. RAY, JR., 50, son of Betty Joan Sharpton and the late Van Buren J. Ray, Sr., died Tuesday, February 23, 2010. Born in Aiken on January 7, 1960, Van was a lifelong resident of Aiken and was a former coach with Aiken County and Lexington County youth sports. He was a member of Memorial Baptist Church. Survivors include his mother, Betty Joan Sharpton, a sister, Ann (Charlie) Wilson, a brother, Bill (Wendy) Ray, all of Aiken, four nieces and nephews, Brittany Ray, Dustin Ray, Erica Gagnon and Allen Wilson, a great niece, Kele Wilson and two great-nephews, Kaiden and Hunter Gagnon. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 1:00 PM at Shellhouse - Rivers Funeral Home, with The Rev. Jim Kirk officiating. Interment will follow in Southlawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM Friday at the funeral home. SHELLHOUSE - RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Van Buren Johnson Ray, Jr., please visit our flower store.