Ray Schilling, 78, a resident of Mt. Hermon, died at 12:05 p.m. Thursday April 26, 2018, at his home.

He was the current Chairman and a longtime Deacon of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. Ray was a former machinist for Walton Foundry that loved watching all different types of sports on TV, including his favorites the Texas Rangers, New Orleans Saints and especially the LSU Tigers. Ray made a large successful garden each year and liked to share his vegetables with his family and members of his community. Ray loved spending time with his family and adored his grandchildren.

“His Lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23 KJV).

He is survived by: wife of 59 years, Janice Creel Schilling of Mt. Hermon; four children and spouses, Carl Ray and Joe Ann Schilling of Mt. Hermon, Ronald Wayne and Hope Schilling of Monticello, Miss., Dr. Gwen Schilling-Dickey and Steve Dickey of Lucien, Miss., and James Allen Schilling of Noxo, Miss.; six grandchildren and spouses, John Curtis Pratt, Christopher Ray and Carin Schilling, Andrew Jared Schilling, Heather Renfroe Champagne and Justin Champagne, Britan Dickey Pruski and Nathaniel Pruski, and Corey Joe and Katelyn Schilling; 12 great-grandchildren; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Woodrow and Willie Bee Schilling of Mt. Hermon, Monroe and Mary Schilling of the Springhill Community; a special nephew, James Ray Creel; a special loved one, Kallie Gros; brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law, Charles and Barbara Creel, and Jasper Creel; and also numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Horace Schilling and Lula Mae Jenkins Schilling; and siblings, Wanzie Schilling Sheridan, Arnie Schilling, Henry Schilling, Velma Blackwell, Fannie Lee Stogner, Arnold Buck Schilling, Buford Schilling, Emma Jean Cooper, Bertha Lee Finley.

Visitation will be at Crain Funeral Home on Saturday, April 28, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. and after 10 a.m. on Sunday, April 29. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 29, in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Scott Spinks, Rev. James Kemp, Rev. Mike Stafford and Mr. Mike Wells officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Paul Sheridan, Avery Sheridan, Brandon Lebo, Hilton Schilling, Kelvin Creel, Ray Creel, Corey Creel and Chris Creel. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren.

A special acknowledgment to the Deacons of Mt. Pisgah Church, Mr. Percy Raybourn, Mr. Mack Brown, Mr. Roland Burch and former pastor and friend David Pate.

Obituaries can be viewed online at www.crainfh.com.