Ray Edward Hartfield
74, Columbia
Ray Edward Hartfield, 74, peacefully joined our Heavenly Father on Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, following a short stay at Asbury Hospice in Hattiesburg. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at Hathorn Funeral Home in Columbia, and he was laid to rest with military honors at Biloxi National Cemetery. Revs. Jessie Ladner and Millard Moak officiated.
Ray was born on Feb. 20, 1945, in Purvis to William Edward (Ted) Hartfield and Vida Rae Dickson Hartfield Anderson, both of whom preceded him in death.
Ray was one of three siblings born to Ted and Vida. He was known as a free-spirit with a generous heart, twinkle in his eyes and infectious laugh.
Those who had the pleasure of knowing him later in his life know how much he loved being outdoors, how well his gardens grew, and how his little dog Mia followed him everywhere he went. Those who knew him when he was younger remember how he was the perfect Santa — from the black boots and bag of goodies to his jolly laugh — and how he was the ultimate outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing and sharing that passion with others.
All who knew him know that Ray was a gifted storyteller who could make even the routine of day-to-day life seem like a journey that should be embraced and shared joyfully with others. It seemed that he knew almost everyone and everything.
Ray was so much more than a husband, brother, father and grandfather. He was also a proud, retired Navy veteran who served his country during Vietnam. He was one of the 143 “Plankowners” who deployed OV-10A Broncos to South Vietnam in 1969; there the squadron quickly established headquarters at Naval Support Activity Binh Thuy. Flying out of the air force base at Binh Thuy and the army airfield at Vung Tau, the “Black Ponies” started providing air support to U.S. and allied forces throughout the Mekong Delta and surrounding areas. He continued to serve his country and make his home wherever the Navy stationed him until his retirement.
Of all that Ray accomplished in his life, though, he was most proud of his family and the children and grandchildren that God blessed him with. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his second wife, Ann Odom Hartfield; and his brother, Charles Frederick (Ricky) Hartfield.
Survivors include his wife, Sharon Hartfield; two daughters, Stephanie Carol Langton Tulsian (Vishal) and Pamela Kaye Sullivan (Robert); two step-daughters, Angela Pittman (Danny) and Kim Barber (Mike); one sister, June Elizabeth Crosby; eight grandchildren, Steven Allen Langton, Robert James Sullivan Jr., Dusty Pittman, Derek Pittman, Matthew Pittman, Chase Slocum, Chance Barber and Kendall Barber; 14 great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews. He is dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all.
Hathorn Funeral Home in Columbia was in charge of the arrangements. Sign an online guestbook at hathornfuneralhome.com.
