Obituary of Robert Ray Studdard

Robert Ray Studdard, 86, of Talladega passed away peacefully May 2, 2025 surrounded by his family. A funeral service will be held in his honor at 11:00 AM, Monday May 5, 2025 at Usrey Funeral Home in Talladega with Robert Klotz officiating, and assisted by Tony Hickman and Andy Thomas. Entombment will follow at Pine Hill Memorial Park Mausoleum. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service. Mr. Studdard was a graduate of Lincoln High School Class of 1957. He served in the Alabama National Guard and was activated to Ft. Campbell, Kentucky attached to the 101st Airborne Division supporting the US Army for the Cuban Missile Crisis. He entered the Dow Chemical Journeyman Pipefitter Apprenticeship Program in Freeport, TX in 1962 which he successfully completed in 1964. He began work at Kimberly-Clark/Bowater in 1972 in Childersburg, AL and retired after 30 years. Ray enjoyed working on his property and spending time in his shop. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was an active member of First Baptist Church and was saved on 9/20/2010 and baptized on 9/26/2010. He served the church as a greeter and usher and was very active in NFY (Not Finished Yet), Whosoever Will Men’s Bible Class, and Meals on Wheels. Ray is survived by his loving wife of 68 years Nettie Carol Studdard, daughter Carol Studdard Weldon (Lance), sons Robert Edward Studdard (Tana), and Gregory Ray Studdard (Michelle), eight grandchildren Tina Weldon, Johnathan Weldon (Brooke), Kristen Studdard, Kevin Studdard (Heather), Heather Hickman (Tony), Julie Thomas (Andy), Gary Wright, and Chrissy Stephenson (Braxton), great-grandchildren Jacob, Caleb, Skyler, Noah, Rider, Hanleigh, Lily, Jaxson, Austyn, Cloe, Luke, Aurora, Riley, Doc, Adelynn, Pierce, Emma, Taylor, Sullivan, Tripp, Beau, and a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family. He is preceded in death by his parents Charlie D. and Alvie Mae Studdard, sister Alline brother-in-law James Freeman, brothers and sisters-in-laws, James and Shirley Studdard, Charles and Frances Studdard, Tommy and Kathleen Studdard, and great-grandson Cooper Kohl Thomas. Pallbearers will be Roy Barnes, Craig Gravette, Billy Wayne Hazel, Luke Hickman, Jacob Hollingsworth, Kevin Studdard, Jaxson Thomas, Noah Thomas, Caleb Walls, and Rider Weldon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to: Whosoever Will Men’s Class in care of First Baptist Church, PO Box 696, Talladega, AL 35161. Please note that your donation is in memory of Ray Studdard. Usrey Funeral Home of Talladega is directing services.