Ray Allen Best

Ray A. Best, 71, passed away Wednesday, November 1, 2023, under the care of HPC of Western Kentucky. He was born January 12, 1952, to the late Kimble and Ruby Best in Whiteville, North Carolina. 

In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by in-laws, Randall and Jessie Lee Martin.

Ray was first and foremost a family man.  He was happiest surrounded by them on their weekly Wednesday night dinners.  He always enjoyed the outdoors whether it was hunting, camping, or tending to his backyard poolside oasis. Ray loved traveling to the beach, watching UNC basketball (never forgetting his North Carolina roots), and cooking for his family and friends. While he had a wide range of recipes, his two specialties were a shrimp boil that could feed the masses and princess birthday cakes for his granddaughters.

Ray’s career began as an industrial mechanic at DuPont in Wilmington, North Carolina.  After obtaining his commercial diving certificate he began employment at McDonough Brown and Associates as a commercial diver.  He later became a firefighter for the City of Owensboro where he retired as a Driver Engineer. Ray also owned and operated Best Building and Remodeling from 1990-2022.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Nelda Martin Best; two children, Renee Taylor (Clay) and Kyle Best (Emily); five grandchildren, Cameron and Mazie Taylor, Quinn, Henry, and Carter Best; brothers and sisters in-law, Mike and Jan Martin, Bruce and Sally Martin and Keith and Pam Martin; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The funeral Mass will be at 12:00 PM, Friday, November 3 at Blessed Mother Catholic Church.

Visitation will be Friday from 10:00 AM until the time of Mass at the church. Burial will be at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery.

Care by Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, 8001 Cummings Rd, Maple Mount, KY 42356 or Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky, 3419 Wathen’s Crossing, Owensboro, KY 42301.

Messages and condolences for the family can be shared at www.glenncares.com.