Raymond A. Yarbrough Sr.

DEACON RAYMOND ALBERT YARBROUGH, SR., affectionately known as “Ray” by family and friends, was born in Washington, Pennsylvania on August 29, 1954. He was the youngest of ten children born to the late Moses E. and Jeannette A. Yarbrough. He transitioned from this life to a peaceful rest on Tuesday March 8, 2016. Raymond was raised in Southview, Pennsylvania and attended Fort Cherry High School. While in high school, he was an exceptional wrestler, advancing to the state championship. Ray soon met the love of his life Beverly Ward in Pittsburgh in 1978. They later married and relocated to San Diego in July of 1991. He continued his education by attending Grossmont College where he received his certification in Computer Technology. He worked various jobs here in San Diego, the longest of which was with CSCI, where he worked as a Computer Technician until his health started to decline. Working on computers became Ray’s passion as well as his hobby until his transition. Upon his relocation to San Diego, he was baptized in Jesus name on September 18, 1994 at the Church of Jesus Christ, Apostolic Faith and later received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Since 2000, Ray has been a faithful member and later installed as the first deacon of the Voices of Victory under the direction of Bishop Dr. Willie J. Moore. He loved praising the Lord playing the organ, drums, keyboard and singing with the praise team. Ray was extremely dedicated to his church family extending his self-taught musical gifts to a host of other church families in San Diego. He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife, Beverly; his three children, Fabyonne (Sheldon) Williams of Homestead, PA, Devon (Joscelyn) Ward of Waldorf, MD, Raymond Yarbrough Jr. of Pittsburgh, PA and Malonzo Dixon who looked to him as a father; his grandchildren, Sheldon (Casaundra) Williams, Shelona and Sheltaya Williams, Nylah and Kamille Ward; three great-grandchildren, Sydni Williams, Keylon McCarter and Sheldon Williams III; his siblings, Gwendolyn (Thomas) Terry, Robert Yarbrough, Eva (James) Cargile and Harriet Dailey; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Raymond was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Moses and his wife Rebecca, Louis and William Yarbrough; his sisters, Jeannette Yarbrough, and Mary Taylor and stepdaughter, LaShawna Ward. Services were held Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at Church of Jesus Christ , Apostolic Faith; interment at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Final arrangements were entrusted to Anderson-Ragsdale Mortuary.