Roy Cecil “R.C.” DeLay Jr., 62, of the Burning Bush Community, died on Wednesday evening, November 18, at his earthly home.
He was the son of the late Roy C. DeLay Sr. Mr. DeLay was a native of Catoosa County. He attended Rossville High School and graduated with many honors. He attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where he received a Bachelor of Music Education degree.
Mr. DeLay was a charter member of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America. He sang many years with the Chattanooga Opera Association.
Mr. DeLay retired from the Catoosa County School system after 31 years of service. All of his teaching profession was at Ringgold Middle School where he taught general music, chorus, and handbells.
He was a member of the National Education Association and Georgia Association of Educators where he was honored for professional excellence, outstanding leadership, dedicated service and commitment to public education in Georgia. He was honored as a lifetime retired member of GAE.
He was a member of the Music Educator’s Association and had a lifetime teaching certificate.
Mr. DeLay was a deeply committed Christian. He was the organist at Boynton Church of God. He was a professional musician on the accordion, organ, piano and saxophone.
He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Jimmy Carlock DeLay (Mrs. Roy DeLay Sr.); one sister, Royce DeLay Beene; one nephew, Gerald Beene; a great-nephew, Michael Beene; three great-nieces, Rachel Beene, Skylark Beene, and Chasity Beene.
Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 22, in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Everett Gossett and Rev. Steve Smith officiating. Ed Broome and Royce DeLay Beene will provide the music. Interment will be in the Burning Bush Cemetery with Dr. Brad DeLay, Phil DeLay, Daryl Moore, Melvin Broom, Carson Carlock, and Maurice Bridgeman serving as active pallbearers. All cousins will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort with the family and view memorial tribute.
The family will receive friends from 12-9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at Heritage Funeral Home, Battlefield Parkway.