Rayford Lee Carter
Rayford Lee Carter, 77, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, March 8, 2024.
Ray was a veteran of the United States Army, proudly serving his country during the Vietnam War. After his service, Ray returned to Chattanooga to eventually begin his family and start his first heating and air company. Ray envisioned himself as an entrepreneur starting many small businesses over his lifetime.
Ray spent his spare time rebuilding classic cars and loved to share photos and talk about his current projects. His favorites being his ’55 Chevy and his ’67 GTO especially its gold leaf trim. He also loved traveling, good food, giving advice, and being surrounded by his family.
He was preceded in death by his father, Carl Carter, mother, Beryl Cooper, and stepfather, William Cooper, Jr. Ray will also be reunited with his second wife, Brenda Walker Carter and his third wife, Becky Lankford Carter, both of whom he loved dearly and greatly missed.
He will be missed by many including his daughters, Kristi (Richard) Manning, and Angie (Scott) Matheny, his sons, Travis Carson and Kevin Carter. He leaves his beloved big brother, Kenneth (Brenda) Carter, grandchildren, James (Tressa) Manning, Drew Manning, Taylor (Jonathan) Martin, and Jack, Jordan, and Morgan Matheny and great-granddaughter, Charlie.
Visitation will be held at Chattanooga Funeral Home, North Chapel on Wednesday, March 13, from 6-8 p.m. and Thursday, March 14, from 12-2 p.m. followed by funeral services at 2 p.m. Graveside services will follow in Hamilton Memorial Gardens with military honors.
The family would like to request if you plan to attend visitation or the funeral and you shared Ray’s love for classic cars, please feel free to drive your car to the service We know he would have loved to hear those engines growl.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.