Florence Murphy Ray

Florence Murphy Ray peacefully passed away in Bethesda, MD at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on March 18, 2021. She was born on February 11, 1948, in Columbus, GA to the late Rev. Robert (Sr) and Viola Murphy. She graduated from Spencer High School in Columbus, GA in 1966 and received her B.S. degree in Criminal Justice from Troy University in Phenix City, AL. Florence worked as a Police Officer for the LaGrange and Columbus (GA) Police Departments. She married Joseph S. Ray Jr on July 23, 1988 and moved to Silver Spring, MD where she was employed and retired as a Federal Police Officer by the United Government Publishing Office (USGPO) in Washington, DC. During her tenure with the USGPO Police Department, she graduated from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, GA. She also was elected and served as the Treasurer of the USGPO Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Labor Committee. She was a member of the New Providence Missionary Baptist Church of Columbus, GA. She is survived by her husband, Joseph S. Ray Jr; one son, Jaryl (Wikiki) Henton and a stepson Michael Ray; two Brothers Robert (Everlena) Murphy Jr and Richard (Sharon) Murphy; two grandchildren, Kennedi and Kelsie Henton; and a host of other family and friends. Graveside service and burial will be held on Saturday, April 3, at Mount Zion Baptist Church Cemetery in West Point, GA.