Funeral services were held on 03/17/2023 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church with a burial following at Greenwood Cemetery. Final Arrangements were entrusted to Anderson Ragsdale Mortuary.
Eva Ray Phillips (Paggett) was born on November 12, 1924, in Jonesboro, Louisiana, the 18th of 19 children. She grew up and completed high school there, a remarkable achievement in those days. Eva Ray moved to San Diego, California in 1953 and began her work for the Lord, her community, and her family.
She joined Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. C. Johnson and stayed a faithful member under Pastor, Rev. J. Linzie Whitmill. Eva Ray served as a member of the Missionary Choir, Vice President of the General Mission, President of Faith Circle and leader of the annual Father’s Day Breakfast.
Eva Ray was initiated into the Order of the Eastern Star, Ada B. Cleveland Chapter #71 in 1960. She served as Worthy Matron, Past Matron, Esther, and was made a Lifetime Member. Her passion, the annual May Day Breakfast was renamed in 2000 to “The Eva Ray Phillips May Day Breakfast.”
Eva Ray loved her family and was the family matriarch. She was a generous woman with a big heart. Although she was not blessed with children, she loved taking care of her siblings’ children and their children.
Eva Ray worked for the Navy Exchange as a laundry machine operator for 25 years until her retirement in 1984.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Georgia Reed Paggett, and her siblings: Abner Jackson, Hope Paggett, Zelma Paggett, Velvet Pagett, Areveal Paggett, Glen Paggett, Woodrow Paggett and Alvester Paggett.
Eva Ray was called home on Sunday, February 19, 2023. Her legacy will live on in the stories told and the memories of those she left behind: Niece Joan Paggett Owens; Great-nieces Clara Carter (Roosevelt Carter), Marilyn Smith, Terrice Ferguson, Tanisha Paggett, Shimika Paggett, Shimaya Paggett; Nephew Glen Romell Paggett; Great-nephews Airrion Carter, Ramon Ivey, Richard Peter (all from San Diego, CA); 38 nieces and 37 nephews (abroad); and a host of cousins and friends.
