Ray V. Crenshaw

Ray was a sweet, caring many who loved and cared deeply for his family. He touched the lives of so many with his gentle smile and compassionate heart. He loved to make people laugh and he has a heart for young people. Ray enjoyed planning trips and playing basketball with the youth. His favorite foods were fried chicken and rice. If it wasn’t fried, he didn’t want it. He loved playing video games with his boys and going out with the family. He loved listening and playing his gospel music. His keyboard was his good friend. His favorite song was “I want to be humble and holy just like the Lord”.

Ray was born April 9, 1961, in Pensacola, Florida to Richard Crenshaw Sr. and Sally Lee Brown. He was the 3rd of five children.

In 1971, Ray and his siblings were brought to The Bible Church of Christ, Inc. There he grew and learned about God. At the age of 9 years old Ray received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. At the age of 10 he developed a desire to want to play the piano and he believed that if he asked God, he would do it. He would get on the prayer line every Sunday where the late Bishop Roy Bryant Sr. D.D. would lay hands on him and anointed his to play the piano. From then on Ray was anointed to play the piano, keyboard and organ. He believed God could do anything.

Ray lived a life of service and was a dedicated member of The Bible Church of Christ, Inc. for over forty years. There, Ray and his wife loved the young people and served as youth leaders for many years. He worked as a correction officer for 15 years at Rikers Island Correctional Facility. In 2017 Ray along with his lovely wife and family moved to Pennsylvania. He & his family traveled every Sunday to and from Bronx, NY to worship at Golden Sword International Fellowship Church and Judah Temple Ministries.  In 2021 Ray & his family started attending New Covenant Christian Fellowship Church, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania where Thereasa Tyler-Smith is the Pastor. There he was a dedicated musician.

On December 14, 2024, early in the morning, Ray Crenshaw was called home to eternal rest from all his pain and suffering. He leaves to cherish his memory, 2 sons Ray Crenshaw Jr., Kevin Crenshaw, 2 children by marriage, Porshia Boyd-Crenshaw & James Denell Coldman; 3 sisters, Bessie Lee Dortch, Malinda Brown and Angiline Brown; one brother, Richard Crenshaw Jr.; mother-in-law, Nellie Banks; two sisters-in-law, Darlene Oliver (Joe) & Elder Janet Edwards-Crenshaw; three nieces, Penny Brown-Ade (Ayinde), Jasmin Khan and Calvinia Suggs; three great nieces, Treasure Durham, Alegacy Durham and Lea Seabrook; two nephews, Marvin Matthew & Derwin Matthew; one great nephew, Noah Seabrook and a host of relatives and friends.