Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, at First Baptist Church in Coffeeville for Mr. Ermine Ray Schmitz Jr., 77, of Coffeeville, who died on Saturday, Nov. 2, in Southaven. Burial will follow in Elam Baptist Church Cemetery. The Rev. Craig Baker, the Rev. Dennis Dorris and the Rev. Truman Scarborough will officiate. The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday evening, Nov. 5, and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday, Nov. 6, all at First Baptist Church in Coffeeville.
Ray Jr. was born on Aug. 19, 1947, in Water Valley, the son of the late Ermine Ray Sr. and the late Deryl Willingham Schmitz. He was a graduate of Coffeeville High School and attended Northwest Junior College where he was a member of the basketball team. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting as well as watching any kind of sporting event on television.
Ray Jr. retired as a supervisor with Kellwood in Coffeeville then later spent time farming, and in the dirt and excavation business. He was a member of Coffeeville Methodist Church. Known by many as “Daddy Rabbit,” Ray Jr. was a gifted conversationalist and made friends wherever he went. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
In addition to his parents, a son-in-law, William Pilcher Sr., preceded Ray Jr. in death.
Survivors include, his daughters, Angela Dorris (Dennis) of Water Valley and Ingrid Holloway (Kyley) of Grenada; son, Ray Schmitz III (Lori) of Coffeeville; stepdaughter, Shanna Taylor (Rob) of Brooklyn, Ark.; sister, Trudy Simmons of Tillatoba; 12 grandchildren, Whitney Massey (BJ), Will Pilcher Jr., Paisley Waldo, Walker Waldo, Annabelle Yelverton, Hydi Rose Holloway, Aiden Yelverton, Alivia Yelverton, Kai Holloway, Ray Schmitz IV, Sarah Grace Taylor and Austin Taylor, and two great grandchildren, Dawson Waldo and Brianna Massey.
Bud Adams, Dennis Brown, Josh Campbell, Troy Campbell, Will Pilcher and Ray Schmitz III will honor Ray Jr. by serving as pallbearers and carry him to rest in Elam Cemetery. Honorary Pallbearers include, Tony Bell, Emmitt Brown, Pat Dunn, Kai Holloway, Samy McCracken, Eddie Simmons, Walker Waldo, Mac Wilbourn and members of the Scuna Deer Club.
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com
McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada is in charge of arrangements.
