Ray Charles Giles

Ray Charles Giles was born March 31, 1955, in Gurdon, Arkansas to the union of Susie Mae Giles and Willie Giles, Sr. Ray Charles accepted Christ at an early age at Eastern Star Baptist Church in the Smithton Community. He attended Gurdon High School and worked as a certified mechanic with McDonalds Ford Trucks. 

By all accounts he was a “jack of all trades”, but his passion was auto mechanics. He used his skilled hands to repair, fix, and replace parts on several cars. When not working he was the “go-to” man for after-hour repairs. He could be found any day spending countless hours under someone’s hood. Ray Charles proudly proclaimed that he was too good to be labeled as a “shade tree” mechanic. His hobbies included watching basketball, listening to the blues, and anything dealing with mechanics. 

He passed from this life on Friday, May 31, 2024, at Diamond Dell Nursing Facility in Lansing Michigan. He was preceded in death by his parents Susie Mae Giles and Willie Giles, Sr., a sister, Bertha Mae Giles, two brothers, Willie Giles, Jr., and Larry James Giles (2022). 

Ray Charles leaves to cherish his memories: his daughter, Raven Lexus Giles, and her children Lydell L. Jackson, Laniah Y. Crusoe, and Lauryn C. Wilson all of Lansing, MI; two sisters, Diana (David) Quarles, and Marilyn Johnson; three brothers, Joe Willie Giles, Roy Lee Giles, James and Richard Lee (Andrea) Giles; two uncles, James Lee Giles and Augustus Giles both of Lansing, Michigan. He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends. 

Visitation will be from noon until 6:00 p.m. on Friday, June 7, 2024, at the funeral home. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 8, 20204, at Williams Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. James H. Giles, Sr, officing. The interment will be at Rose Hedge Cemetery in Gurdon, Arkansas. 

Pallbearers will be Johnny Smith, Lee Quarles, James H. Giles, Sr. , and Thomas Muldrew.