Rayford’s Obituary Rayford Harris, Jr., 93, passed away on January 14, 2019 at the St. Joseph Medical Center. He was born May 3, 1925 to the union of Rayford Harris and Fannie (Green) Harris in Kistler, West Virginia. His parents, one brother Sylvester Harris, and one sister, Lorraine Brooks preceded him in death.
Lovingly called “Daddy Ray” and “Uncle Jr”, at the age of four he sang with his older sister for the Election Board of West Virginia. He graduated from Buffalo High School in Kistler, West Virginia where he played on the football as a quarterback. He later relocated to Kansas City, Missouri along with his family where he met Mattie Colvin at Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church.
They were soon united in marriage by the late Rev. E. H. Branch. No children were born to this union.
Ray worked at Rudy Vick Ford in Kansas City, Missouri. He was later hired in 1960 as one of the first of five African American drivers for the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority. After thirty years of service he retired in 1990.
In 2013, he was honored with the Rosa Parks Spirit Award. Ray was often honored during Black History Month observances and was once interviewed and featured in several news stories about being amongst the first drivers of color. Ray was a member of the Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church singing and directing in many of the church choirs over the years.
You’d know when he was feeling the spirit when he would threw his handkerchief, catching it right in the middle of a song and kept on singing. Ray was an avid bowler for over sixty years and won numerous trophies, including the Midwest Bowlers Guild, Inc. Courage award on September 6, 2015. Ray was very instrumental in keeping his family together and was actively dedicated to serving on the family reunion committee.
He would encourage his KC family to travel to the various out of town family gatherings so they could all be together for the fun and festivities. Affectionately called “The Money Man”, he enjoyed eating out and spending quality time with his family and friends. He was committed to bringing the best out of everyone he encountered.
He leaves to cherish his memory: his loving wife of fifty-eight years, Mattie Harris of the home; three children, Fredrick Harris (Jacquelyn) of Overland Park, KS, Renee Harris and Kelvin Goodloe (Kimberly) both of Grandview, MO; one brother, Alexander “Alex” Harris (Darlene) of Kansas City, MO; one sister, Juanita Gibson of Raytown, MO; grandchildren, Kimberly Strickland of Lenexa, KS, Melanie Harris of Lee’s Summit, MO, Kelea Goodloe of Grandview, MO, Nequa Miles of Kansas City, MO and Brika McDonald of Independence, MO; one sister-in-law, Rozella Harris; surrogate grandchildren, Morgan Marcellus and Taryn Ross; a host of great grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives and friends. Funeral services Saturday, January 26, 11:00 a.m. at Zion Grove Missionary Baptist Church. Interment Forest Hill Cemetery.
Visitation 9:00-11:00 a.m. at the church. Services conducted by Duane E. Harvey Funeral Directors. Condolences may be shared on our website.
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