Mr. Rayford “Ray” Alfred Horne, Sr, born to the late William Alfred Horne of Thomasville, Georgia and the late Rosie Etta Horne, of Forest City, North Carolina, on October 30, 1952, passed away peacefully on November 17, 2022. In addition to his parents, Ray is preceded in death by his wife Deborah Jean Horne. He is survived by his daughter, Yolanda Horne of Atlanta, Georgia, his sons, Timothy Wells of Greensboro, North Carolina, and Teddy Horne (Evelyn) of Greensboro, North Carolina, Rayford Horne, Jr. (Sarah) of Rockmart, Georgia, Roderick Horne (Antasia) of Spartanburg, South Carolina. Ray also leaves behind his sister, Alice M. Logan, of Marion, North Carolina, his niece, Yvette Logan of Marion, North Carolina his two grandchildren, Steven-Lawrence Horne of Spartanburg, South Carolina, and Isabella Horne of Rockmart, Georgia. Rayford Horne, Sr. initially attended George Washington Carver High School. However, he was among the first wave of African American students to participate in the integration of East Rutherford High School. Subsequently, Rayford was also among the first Black students to graduate from East Rutherford High School. Upon his graduation from high school, Ray spent most of his career working in the textile industry. He continued his education by taking several courses and earning certificates through the programs of the North Carolina Manufacturing certification program at Isothermal Community College in Spindale, North Carolina. Though Ray will be missed deeply especially by his children and grandchildren. They are able to find comfort that he is with his beloved wife Deborah and is at peace. Service Friday, November 25, 2022 2:00 PM Wells Spring United Methodist Church Forest City, NC Pastor Lisa Moore