On April 25, 2024, Ray Savage, 88, of Sparta, went to be with his Lord, whom he loved and faithfully served.
Born April 3, 1936, in Quebeck, he was the son of Jasper and Gertrude Smith Savage and attended Doyle Church of the Nazarene from his earliest days.
Ray’s life was caringly woven into the lives of others through his ministry across Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Georgia, and beyond and as a devoted husband, father, and grandad. He loved his family, church family, and friends and enjoyed music and gardening. As an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene starting in 1961, he pastored and developed churches and congregations while caring for each person individually. With a warm smile and a compassionate heart, Ray served others by preaching and pastoring, teaching Sunday School, mentoring and training youth and ministerial students. He taught piano, imparted educational and life skills in a rural Kentucky one-room schoolhouse, shared the fruit of his master gardening, organized events for retired pastors, and ministered to senior adults. His calling and joy was to share the truth, hope, and love of the gospel to make life better for those around him, one person at a time.
In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by his wife, Bettye Savage; sister, Vivian Rittenberry; and brothers, Bobby, George, and Ronald Savage.
Surviving family include his son, Edward Ray Savage, II (Jenny); granddaughters, Sarah Joseph (James), Grace Holmes (Michael); great-grandchildren, James, David, Elias Joseph; sisters, Iness Walth (Roger), Mary Staggs (Jimmy), Dianne Smith (Elbert); brother, Charles Savage (Joyce); niece, Jan Woodcock (Paul), who were both there any time he needed them; and numerous other nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be 1 p.m., May 4, 2024, at Doyle Church of the Nazarene. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m., May 3, 2024, at Oak Lawn Funeral Home, and 11 a.m.-1 p.m., May 4, at the church. After the funeral, there will be a graveside service at Greenwood Cemetery, which is next to the church.
Oak Lawn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
