Affectionately known as Ray, Rayfield Williams Cabaniss was born in Shelby, North Carolina to the late Ray Cornelius Cabaniss and Margaret Rogers Cabaniss, on September 13, 1947 in Shelby North Carolina.

Ray leaves behind his beautiful wife Rebecca Jamerson Cabaniss. Ray and Rebecca were married for 52 Years. From that union they were blessed with two daughters-Avril LeRey Cabaniss and Mia Simone Cabaniss both born in Minneapolis Minnesota, and now residing in Charlotte NC. He also leaves behind cherished memories of him to his beloved grandchildren; Rapheal & Jennifer Cabaniss of Minneapolis Minnesota, Malcolm Wesley Cabaniss Smith, Lola Cabaniss-Ali and Sidiq William Cabaniss-Ali; great grandchildren: Ariyah, Harlee, and Remi Cabaniss of Hoffman, Minnesota; four siblings: Helen Cabaniss Barrow (the late Franklin), Ann Shipman (the late Rayman), Warren Cabaniss (the late Joan), and Peter Cabaniss (Candrea); cherished sons: Zeno Borders Jr. and Reverend Deshawn and a host of lifetime friends.

Ray was a continuous student earning his BS at Lane College of Jackson, Tennessee. He further studied at MIT in Massachusetts; University of Minnesota, Nebraska Wesley University and United Theological Seminary.

In 1963 Ray Cabaniss Senior was instrumental in getting Cleveland County Board of Education to segregate the Cleveland County School System by filing a lawsuit and enrolling Rayfield into Shelby High School in 1963. Because of Ray Cabaniss Senior’s protest, Rayfield along with three other students enrolled into Shelby High School in 1963.

Ray worked for the US Bureau of Mines of Fort Snelling Minnesota as a Chemist, Safety Officer for Regions Hospital of St. Paul, Minnesota; 3M Company, St. Paul Minnesota; H.B. Fuller Company; and Hennepin County (Minnesota). Ray went on to work in Hopkins School System (Minnetonka Minnesota).

Before returning to North Carolina in 2005, Ray was a faithful member of Park Avenue United Methodist Church (Minnesota). He later joined Cokesbury United Methodist Church, Charlotte and often attended Durham United Methodist Church; Eskridge Grove Baptist Church, Roberts Tabernacle Church all in Shelby North Carolina.

Ray was deeply involved in the community and was an avid community worker with Sarcoidosis of Charlotte, NC where he served as Co-President; Big Brothers & Big Sisters in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. Ray was a member of Mecklenburg Library Book Clubs: Beatties Ford Road Library, Independence Library, and Hickory Grove Library. He believed there is no end to education and was always ready to learn new things.

Among his other accomplishments were The Boy Scouts of AmericaChaplin (Minnesota); proud lifetime member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity in which he was honored for his 50 years of service; member of the NAACP; devoted member of BMCR (Black Methodist Church for Renewal) Precinct Chairperson- Democratic Party; Vice President of the Minnesota United Methodist Men and a member of United Methodist Men-Cokesbury, Charlotte, NC.

Ray was a beloved visitor of Simpson Gillespie United Methodist Church; Loose End Men’s Groups – Minnesota/Park Ave United Methodist Church and Brooks Chapel Methodist Church, Lawndale NC. Ray peacefully departed his life for his heavenly home on October 6, 2022 at home surrounded by family, at the age of seventy-five.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at 12:00 PM at Cokesbury United Methodist Church in Charlotte. There will be a repast in the fellowship hall immediately following the service. The service will be livestreamed starting at 11:45 AM from the Enloe Mortuary Facebook page. Press the FaceBook icon from the website's homepage. It will take you to the Facebook page; scroll down starting at 11:45 to where it states Service for Mr. Rayfield Cabaniss. Press inside box to enter into the service.