William R. W. Douglas, Jr.

THE OBITUARY
William Raydon Wilberforce Douglas, Jr. affectionately called “Ray” was born to the late Rev. William R. W. Douglas, Sr., and late Delores Andre’ Polk Douglas on November 19, 1974, in Roanoke, Virginia. He is also preceded in death by paternal grandparents; Abel Carroll and Venus Christina Douglas and maternal grandparents Raymond E Polk, Sr., and Lessie Jones Polk.

Educated in the public schools of Bristol, VA and Kingsport, Tennessee, Ray was academically, athletically, and musically gifted. As a child, he began to play the violin at age five. Ray also played the cello and sang in numerous choral groups. A graduate of Dobyns-Bennett High School (Kingsport, TN), Ray is a 1996 graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where he was active in Student Conduct and Appeals Board, Student Government Association (SGA) and the Student Alumni Council. Ray was blessed to receive a music (voice and orchestra) scholarship from the legendary Dr. Roland M. Carter, Chair, Department Music at UT-Chattanooga. There, he joined the Chattanooga Singers and Singing Mocs Show Choir. Among the many highlights for Ray was having the opportunity to sing at the Crystal Cathedral and traveling to New Zealand, Australia, Scotland, England, Hawaii, and throughout the United States with the choir. He also sang in the First Presbyterian Church Choir for Changed Lives that aired on Sunday night nationwide.

Interested in public service, Ray served as a legislative intern in the Tennessee General Assembly in Nashville working for State Senator David Fowler of Chattanooga. While completing his undergraduate degree, Ray attended the Thompkins Chapel Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church. After graduation, Ray ran for Tennessee House of Representative in Hawkins and Hancock Counties and was narrowly defeated in the primary. Dedicated to a life of service, Ray was employed as a Program Director at Rascals Teen Center and an instructional Assistant at John Sevier Middle School.

Ray accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior at the East TN/VA Conference that convened at the Jones Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church (Greeneville, TN) in June 1993. Answering the call to preach, he delivered his initial sermon in July 1997 at the Lyons Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church (New Canton, TN) where his father was the pastor. He subsequently enrolled in the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (LPTS) in Louisville, KY on scholarship. There Ray served on the Seminary Council. His field education study was done at the Broadway Temple A.M.E. Zion Church where Rev. Douglas served as Minister of Youth and founding director of Saving Americas Youth (SAY Yes!) Center, writing grants to fund programs for at-risk youth and briefly played for the Children’s Choir. In May 2000, he earned the Master of Divinity degree from LPTS.

A proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Ray was a life-long member of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. He was ordained a Deacon in 1999 and an Elder in 2000 by the late Bishop Milton A. Williams, Sr. In, Bishop Williams assigned him to the Price Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church (Roanoke, VA) where he became an integral part of the community. Pastor Douglas shared with FaithWorks, the Loudon Melrose and Melrose Rugby neighborhood associations and was the chair of the Legal Redress and Political Action committees of the Roanoke Branch NAACP. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Jefferson Center Performing Arts Center, YMCA Family Branch Center and was Chair of the local United Way Emergency Food and Shelter Board. The Breakfast Ministry that Rev. Douglas established remains active today. Rev. Douglas was a chaplain at Lewis Gale Hospital (Salem, VA) and a flex/on call chaplain for Carillion Health system (Now Carilion Clinic) at Roanoke Memorial and Community Hospitals from 2004-2007. He also worked as the Vice President of Marketing and Recruitment for Big Brother Big Sisters of Southwestern Virginia.

After serving Price Memorial for 5 years, Rev. Douglas joined the John Wesley A.M.E. Zion Church (Washington, DC) in October 2007. Under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Dr. Vernon A. Shannon, he became Minister of Youth, sang with the Cathedral Choir, Fellowship Gospel Choir, Male Chorus, and was a member of the November Birthday Club. He also sang with the Salone Clary Chorale. In May 2012 Bishop Warren M. Brown assigned Rev. Douglas as the organizing pastor of Deliverance Temple, a vision God gave him while in Roanoke. After twenty years of friendship, Ray married the former Rev. Dr. Nicole A Johnson on June 24, 2012. The Lord blessed them with two amazing children, Rayah and Rayghan. He loved traveling and spending time with his family. A dynamic ministry team, the Douglas’ developed a plan for the new congregation and later merged it successfully with Victory Worship A.M.E. Zion Church. Pastor Douglas immersed himself in community and was especially active with Parents Amplifying Voices in Education (PAVE) and on their PLE Board for Ward 5.

Ray is survived by his loving and queenly wife, Rev. Dr. Nicole Johnson-Douglas; daughter, Rayah McKinzie Leigh and son, Rayghan Neeko Elijah; siblings Warren R.E (Tracy) Douglas (Georgetown, Guyana), Joyanne (Sam) Douglas-John (Boston, MA); Andre’ L. Douglas (Greensboro, NC); and Kristen N. Douglas (Phoenix, AZ); godchildren: Infiniti Bristol (Kingsport, TN), Jacque and Aniya Johnson, Tyrell Holcomb, A’Zora Peterson, London and Sage Williams, and Mason Caleb Saxon (all of Washington, DC); Uncle, Ralph N. (Cynthia) Polk (Danville, VA); Godmother and aunt, Grace Douglas (Central Islip Long Island, NY); aunt, Gloria Polk Manns (Roanoke, VA); nephews, Chaz Douglas(Brooklyn, NY), Michael John (Boston, MA); niece, Allison John (Boston, MA); Mother-in law, Mary Johnson (Eric ) Rambert (Fort Washington, MD); Father-in-law, Daniel Walters (Washington, DC) and Brother-in-law, Da’twan (Amy) Marable (Washington, DC). Also left to cherish Ray’s memory are special brothers, Major (Cassie) Bristol, Rashik (Danaeka) Wilkes, Brian Whelchel, Rev. Michael (Ravelle) King; special cousins, Sean Polk, and Troy Manns; Spiritual parents, Rev. Adolphus (Justina) Young as well as a host of cousins, in- laws, co-laborers in the Gospel, and friends.

Ray’s Favorite Scripture
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 (NRSV)

Ray’s Favorite Prayer
“Lord Your will,
nothing more,
nothing less,
nothing else.
Amen.”
Written by Rev. Dr. Cecelia W. Bryant
Author, Lecturer, Advocate and Wife of Bishop John R. Bryant