Watkinsville/Mt. Vernon

Mr. Ray F. Criswell (TSGT USAF Retired), age 83, of Watkinsville, passed away on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at the St. Mary’s Highland Hills Hospice in Watkinsville, after an extended illness  Mr. Criswell served twenty-three years in the United States Air Force and was a graduate of Mercer University.  After his retirement from the Air Force, he and his late wife, Grace Parker Criswell found their new home in Mt. Vernon. They owned and operated R&G Hardware Company until their second retirement.  He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Mount Vernon, Gideons Society, Georgia Campers on Mission, and Veteran of Foreign Wars. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lonnie and Lavada Criswell and his late wife of sixty-one years, Grace P. Criswell.

Mr. Criswell is survived by one daughter, Melanie F. Nash and husband Charles of Athens; one son, Lonnie Ray Criswell of Warner Robins; one granddaughter, Amanda N. Brown and husband Robee of Watkinsville; one grandson, Derrick R. Criswell of Mexico City, Mexico; one great granddaughter, Emory Grace Brown; and numerous cousins and friends.

The funeral service will be held Thursday, May 18th at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Mt. Vernon. Burial will follow in the Mt. Vernon Memorial Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the church on Thursday morning from 10:00 until just prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Highland Hills Hospice House C/O St. Mary’s Foundation at 1230 Baxter Street, Athens, GA 30606, or to the First Baptist Church of Mount Vernon at 120 S. Railroad Ave. Mount Vernon, GA 30445.

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