Raymond Brainard Woolson
Raymond Brainard “Ray” Woolson III, 65, of Penhook passed away peacefully while surrounded by his family on August 13, 2024. Ray was born on December 30, 1958 to Raymond and Patricia Woolson in Plattsburgh, New York. Ray is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Catherine Belle Cooper Woolson, sons Raymond Woolson, Cooper (Elizabeth) Woolson, Story (Anna) Woolson, daughter Belle Woolson, mother Patricia Woolson, sister Sabin (Steve) Thompson, brother Tyler (Kim) Woolson, grandchildren Lyric Busk-Woolson, McClain Woolson, Catherine Woolson, father-in-law Bob Cooper, several brothers and sisters in law, nieces and nephews. Ray was also looking forward to a fourth granddaughter due in December. Ray was preceded in death by his father Raymond Woolson II and his mother-in-law Belle Cooper.
Ray grew up in a loving family in Connecticut and later New Hampshire. He completed his undergraduate education in economics at Dartmouth College where he also played football. He later earned an MBA at the Darden School of Business at UVA where he met Cathy in Charlottesville, Virginia. Ray had a successful career in finance as a senior executive who held several board memberships. He excelled at competitive marksmanship and enjoyed driving sports cars and skiing. Ray was playful in nature: he loved to laugh, give nicknames, and win games. He was a loving provider and faithful protector of his family. He delighted in supporting his wife and children in any of their endeavors, and he was a constant presence of love and encouragement for them.
Despite his many successes in life, Ray realized that none of these things fully satisfy without a personal relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. Ecclesiastes 2:25b says, “who can have enjoyment without Him?” and Romans 6:23 states, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” He received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and it is his hope that many would join him. As Romans 10:13 states, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” As an outflow of love for his Savior, Ray served in many roles including as a small group leader at Bible Study Fellowship and as a teacher of personal finance for a prison ministry.
A visitation will be held on August 22, 2024 from 2-4 pm and 5-7 pm at Franklin Heights Church (110 Hilltop Drive Rocky Mount, VA 24151). A funeral service will take place on August 23, 2024 at Franklin Heights Church at 11 am.
In lieu of sending flowers, please consider donating to Every Home for Christ, a favorite ministry of the family, or his home church, Franklin Heights Church. https://everyhome.org/give/ EHC International Headquarters 640 Chapel Hills Dr. Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center, Rocky Mount.
