Carlos Priddy

Mr. Carlos “Ray” Priddy, 80, passed away Saturday, December 26, 2020.  He was born May 11, 1940 in Stokes County to the late Carlos Paul Priddy and Lena Elizabeth Corn Priddy.  Ray grew up farming in Lawsonville, NC.  After high school, he enlisted in the Navy.  He served on the aircraft carrier, USS Randolph until 1962.  His favorite memory while in the Navy was being on the ship to recover two astronauts, Gus Grissom and John Glenn as part of the Project Mercury space missions.

After his service in the Navy, Ray began a career of 33 years with the Forsyth County Clerk of Courts Office.  He retired as Assistant Clerk of Superior Court.  He was well respected by the legal community for his experience and knowledge.

Ray and his wife Barbara were avid antique collectors.  Ray was known for his extensive oil lamp collection and beautiful furniture.  But his favorite hobby was vegetable gardening at his home in Germanton.  He loved everything from tilling the land to harvesting every last potato.  This was his “thinking place”, an escape from the world.

After a prolonged battle with Alzheimer’s and diabetes, Ray is finally at peace and his mind and body have been restored.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his loving wife of 51 years, Barbara Jean Kiser Priddy; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Weldon and Maybelle Kiser; and nephew, Kevin McCaw.  Ray is survived by two children, Robin Priddy Smith (Mickey) and Chris Priddy (Margaret); three grandchildren: Griffin Smith, Emma Priddy, and Henry Priddy; sister, Fay McCaw (Dennis); niece Suzanne Clay (Jim); nephew Mike McCaw; and a very special sister-in-law, Marguerite “Brownie” Duggins.

A graveside service will be conducted 2:00 PM Wednesday, December 30th at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in King, NC with Pastor Eddie Honeycutt officiating.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of Forest Heights Senior Living for the love and care of Ray for the last six and a half years.  They would also like to thank Trellis Supportive Care for their kindness and compassion in his final days.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at act.alz.org or 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023.  Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com. (Hayworth-Miller Rural Hall)