Christopher D. Ray

Courtland—Christopher Darby Ray, 22, a deputy sheriff with the Southampton County Sheriff’s Office, succumbed to injuries sustained following a motor vehicle accident while responding to a call for service on August 29, 2009. He was born in Franklin and was a member of Courtland United Methodist Church. Christopher was a 2005 graduate of Southampton Academy and a 2009 graduate of Radford University where he received a BS in Criminal Justice. Christopher joined the Southampton County Sheriff’s Office on June 1, 2009.

Christopher was a happy, joyful young man who loved working in law enforcement, loved fishing, hunting, his family and friends.

Left to cherish his memory are his parents, Anne and Kenneth Ray; his brothers, Kevin and Cameron; grandmothers, Betty Watkins and Joan Ray; aunt and uncle, Christy and Tom Holt; aunt, Scotti Russell; uncle, Ronald Ray; cousins, Sara Milley, Jackie Holt, Michael Holt; best friend, John Barksdale and his second mom, Esther Francis. Christopher was predeceased by his grandfathers, Earle Watkins and Darby Ray.

A graveside service, with honors, will be conducted at 3 pm today (Monday) at Riverside Cemetery, Courtland with the Rev. Richard Gordon and the Rev. James W. Browder, III officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the Courtland United Methodist Church fellowship hall and suggests memorials be made to the Franklin/Southampton Crime Solvers, 108 W. Third Avenue, Franklin, Va. 23851 or Southampton Academy, 26495 Old Plank Road, Courtland, Va. 23837. Wright Funeral Home, Franklin, has charge of arrangements. www.wrightfuneralhome.org.