Edward Ray Gay, 79, of Hertford, NC, passed away on December 28, 2013. A native of Edgecombe Co., NC he was the son of the late Joseph Lee Gay and Frances Jewel Wickham. He was also predeceased by his brother Joseph P. Gay. Edward retired from the U. S. Navy as a Chief Petty Officer and was a veteran of the Korean War. After his military career he became a Welding Foreman for Shop 26 at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Betty Rae Terry Gay; sons, Kenneth Clark Gay and Edward "Eddie" Ray Gay, II; grandchildren: Brandan Wayne Gay and Casey Daren Gay; brothers, Spencer W. Gay and William "Bill" L. Gay, Sr.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Suffolk Church of God on Thursday, January 2, 2014, at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Robert Lee Meredith officiating. An inurnment with military honors will follow at 3:00 at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com