Ray Stewart Harrington, Jr.'s Obituary
Mr. Ray Stewart Harrington, Jr., 76, was born February 19, 1949, to Ray Stewart Harrington, Sr. and Joan Caroline Crawford Thompson, first of 15 children, in Chattanooga, TN. He passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, November 7, 2025.
Ray attended St. Francis Catholic School, Notre Dame High and Howard High Schools, and later obtained his GED from the Hamilton County School System. In order to provide for his family, he worked several foundry jobs, but he knew they were not for him. So, at the age of 29, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving 4 years on nuclear submarines as a Radioman aboard the now decommissioned Mariano G. Vellejo Nuclear Submarine, and completed 3 years of college. He was honorably discharged, with several distinguished awards and commendations, in 1981. He retired from the City of Chattanooga after 27 years as a Wastewater Operator and Stormwater Specialist.
Ray was preceded in death by both parents; sisters, Sonja M. Johnson and Yolanda S. Harrington, and Marian D. Harrington; brother, Wayman A. Harrington; paternal grandparents, Wayman S. Harrington and Marian Chappell Harrington; maternal grandparents, George Crawford and Mollie Ford Nelms.
Those left to mourn his loss include his loving and devoted wife of 58 years, Beverly Ruth Terrell Harrington; son, Ray S. (Tina) Harrington, III; daughter, Baletta S. (Roderick McCurty) Gustus; stepfather, Rev. Kenneth W. Thompson of Stafford, VA; brothers, Phillip A. Harrington of Woodbridge, VA, Sean (Maria) Thompson of Morelia, Mexico, Justin (Cindy) Thompson of Springfield, VA, and Carl (Safi) Thompson of Woodbridge, VA; sisters, Dedra Blackwell of Chattanooga, TN, Veronica Harrington of Washington, D.C., Theresa (Thomas) Scott of Stafford, VA, and Sharon Mathis of Pflugerville, TX; very devoted nieces & nephews, Monica (David) Obozele, Aladrian Williams, Trina (Shaun) Reel, Olivia (Rolando) Gonzalez, Jesse D. Traylor, Jason Traylor, Joshua Johnson, and James (Leann) Terrell, Jr.; as well as a host of nephews, nieces, and other relatives and friends.
Special thanks to the staffs of Memorial Home Healthcare, Memorial Hospital Downtown 4 South, Life Care Center East Ridge, Encompass Health Rehab Center and Dialysis Clinic, Inc. East Ridge and E. Third Street locations.
Ray will lie-in-state on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Taylor Funeral Home. Funeral service will follow in the chapel at 12:00 noon.
DIRECTIONS FOR LIVE STREAM: Please click on the link below to view the service on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 12:00 noon.
https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTc2MzQ4NjQyNTE4MDI2ODEmb25lcm9vbS1hZG1pbiZjb3B5X2xpbms=
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