Rayford Ray Barnes

Friday, March 1, 1935 - Thursday, January 16, 2025

Mr. Rayford Ray Barnes of Slocomb passed away Thursday, January 16, 2025 at his home surrounded by his loving family.  He was 89.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at Malvern Baptist Church with Rev. Hosea Parker officiating and Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb directing.  Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time.

Mr. Barnes was born on March 1, 1935, to the late JD and Lonie Mae Givins Barnes. Rayford began his career in 1954 at the Twitchell Corporation advancing to a supervisor position. In the late 1960’s, he was employed with the Alabama Electric Motor Shop until his retirement in 2003. After retirement, his love for working on motors and desire to help family and friends always kept him busy and often filled in at various electric motor shops. Rayford also had a great passion for drag racing on the local Malvern streets in the 1950’s. In the 1960’s he began round track racing at Rocket Speedway and various other tracks with Tommy Roland, as driver of Car #6. He enjoyed being outdoors, cutting grass, working on rental houses, and anywhere he was needed in the community. Rayford was a man of faith, member of Malvern Baptist Church, and was active in the Men’s Adult Sunday School Class.  He was a very loving husband, adoring father, and grandfather and will be greatly missed.   

In addition to his parents, a brother, Jay Lee Barnes; two sisters: Eldora Davis, and Merlene Barnes, all preceded him in death.

Survivors include his loving wife, Shelby Jean Barnes; son, Dennis Ray Barnes (Mary Catherine); grandchildren: Victoria Elaine Clemmons,  and Austin Tony Clemmons; sister in laws: Annette Barnes, Melba Campbell, and Sybil Stephens; brother in laws: Tommy Davis and Donald Freeman(Linda); nieces: Debra Sue Parrish, Tammy Brown(Keith), Darlene Houk, Bolivia Windham, Beth Stephens Branch, and Denise Galloway Rowland; nephews: Kevin Freeman, Rodney Galloway, Tommy Davis Jr., and Jeff Stephens; and other extended family and friends.