Lydia Gail Ray

Lydia Gail Ray, age 86, of Destin, FL passed away on November 19, 2022, at her home surrounded by family. 

Gail was born in Pike County, KY on December 19, 1935, the daughter of the late Oreland & Madgie Tackett.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, Kevin Brent Ray, one sister, Thedis Martin, and one brother, Charles Tackett.

She is survived by her loving husband, Walter Ray, and daughter, Kara Ray Preston, and her husband (Joseph).

She is also survived by five grandchildren, Joshua Preston, Caleb Preston, Heather Preston Viviano, Jason Preston, and Candice Preston, and five great-grandchildren.

Gail was a member of Village Baptist Church since 2002 where she served as a teacher for the Special Needs class and an AWANA leader. Blessed with the spiritual gifts of mercy and service, she devoted her life to special needs children and adults, beginning in 1961, and worked with Special Olympics in Michigan, Ohio, and Florida beginning in 1968.

A Visitation will be on Tuesday, November 22 at Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 161 Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, FL, from 6:30 pm– 8:00 pm

Funeral Services will be Wednesday, November 23 at 11:00 am at Emerald Coast Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery, Fort Walton Beach, FL.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Gail’s memory to Special Olympics of Okaloosa County, 1978-B Lewis Turner Blvd, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547, or the Village Baptist Church AWANA program, 101 Matthew Blvd, Destin, FL 32541.

Expressions of love and sympathy may be placed and viewed online at www.emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lydia Gail Ray, please visit our floral store.