RALEIGH – Ray Noble Sears, Sr., age 72, of Winton, formerly of Marion, NC died Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at Wake Med Health & Hospitals in Raleigh.

He was born December 21, 1940 in McDowell County, NC to the late Charlie Faucette and Irene Johnson Sears.  He was a loving and devoted father. Mr. Sears was a Vietnam veteran of the United States Army where he received a Purple Heart. He was also a retired School Teacher of more than 30 years and was a member of Mt. Zion A.M.E. Zion Church.

In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jean Foster.

Surviving Mr. Sears are one son, Ray Noel Sears of Kinston; two daughters, Leslie Sears Jones and husband, Andre, and Claudette Taylor, all of Raleigh; three grandsons, Deondre Taylor, Brandon Taylor and Underier Montea “Lil Dre” Stevenson; several siblings; and a host of other relatives.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at Mt. Zion A.M.E .Zion Church. Burial will follow at McDowell Cemetery.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

Words of comfort may be shared with the Sears family at www.kirkseyfhmarion.com.