Timmonsville, SC - Carl Ray Watford Jr.,68, left this world suddenly May 7, 2021.  He was well known as a caring son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend.

A graveside service will be Monday, May 10, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Salem United Methodist Cemetery in Timmonsville, SC.  The family will speak to those attending after the service.

Ray was born in Florence County, the son of Annie Jo Harrell Watford and the late Carl Ray Watford, Sr.  Ray graduated from Timmonsville High School in 1970.  There, he met and married his high school sweetheart, Marsha Hammond McElveen. They were married December 23, 1971 and spent their life together at their home and farm in Timmonsville, South Carolina.

Ray's greatest passion in life was spending time with his family which usually involved carefully selecting something to cook, BBQ, or smoke for watching Clemson football or the  Atlanta Braves games, and or Sunday dinner.  He passed along his love for cooking to his son, Chris. Ray thought his daughter, Ashley Watford Watson & her three children could do no wrong.  He derived the most joy from spending time with each of them. Ray loved attending the football games or even practice of his eldest grandchild, Peyton Eric Watson.  He attended countless baseball games with his "special rocking chair" of the middle grandchild,  Parker James Watson.  Ray spent time with the youngest grandchild, Raegan Claire, planting the garden and raising chickens on the farm.

Ray is survived by his mother, Annie Jo Watford; his wife, Marsha Watford; son, Christopher Ray Watford;  daughter,  Ashley & son in law, Eric Watson; grandchildren, Peyton, Parker, & Raegan Claire Watson; two sisters; Janice (Mike) Ward and Donna (Ben) Lynch; many nieces and nephews who he all adored.

Memorials may be made to Salem United Methodist Church, C/O Sandra Hudson, 1574 Hibiscus Rd., Timmonsville, SC  29161.

You are invited to sign the guestbook at www.laytonandersonfh.com

Layton-Anderson Funeral Home, 4210 W. Palmetto Street, Florence, SC  29501.