Raymond Dudley Graham Jr.

On Monday, November 14, 2022, Raymond Dudley Graham, Jr., loving husband and father, passed away at the age of 64. Born to Raymond Graham and Mary Foster Graham, Ray graduated from Christiansburg High School in 1976. He went on to study a few years at Virginia Tech before moving on to play with the Cincinnati Reds Organization.
Ray was a truck driver for a while, traveling all over the US, before settling back down in his hometown. Ray loved sports so much that he was a baseball umpire for many years until he began driving a truck for Blue Ridge Beverage. Ray drove for them 25 plus years until he became ill. He enjoyed watching sports and supporting his VT Hokies. When he wasn’t watching sports he would be watching his favorite TV show, Yellowstone. An equal passion of Ray’s was family time and serving up a great feast. He had a big heart, was very giving, and never hesitated to help others.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond Graham and Mary Foster Graham; sister, Carol Lynn Bentley; uncles, Tom Foster, David Foster, Lynwood Foster; nephew, Adam Smith; grandson, Levi Rakes, and great-granddaughter, Scarlett Smith.
He is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Rita Smith Graham; children, Christopher Graham (Emily), Katie Phillips (David); step-children, Rodney Smith (Michelle), Michelle Rakes (D.J.); grandchildren, Nicolas, William, Alexis, Noah, Laiken (Cody), Idara, C.J.; great-grandchildren, Novi, Waylon, and Oaklyn. He will also be remembered by his siblings, Debbie Graham Hager and Edward Graham; aunt and uncle, Shirley Price and Bob Foster; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Friday, November 18, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Graysontown New Life Ministries. Funeral Services will begin at 1 p.m. at the church, with Pastor Justin Quesenberry officiating. Interment will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Christiansburg.