Obituary of Raymond J. Gilstrap

Bedford Raymond J. Gilstrap, 85, of Bedford, died at his residence Monday night, September 22nd. Born December 15, 1928 in Pinhook, Lawrence County, he was the son of Dorothy Marie (Axsom) and Stanley Raymond Gilstrap. He married Dolores Maxine Bechner on January 24, 1953 and she preceded him in death on April 21, 2010. Raymond was an insurance agent and realtor, owning Gilstrap Realty and Insurance for 30 years, retiring in 1993. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Bedford. He was a 50 year member of Bedford Lodge No. 14 F. & A.M., York Rite & Scottish Rite. He was a Veteran of WWII, serving in the Air Force from 1946 to 1948. Survivors include his daughter, Jennifer Faris and her husband Michael, of Bedford; two grandchildren, Jeremy Faris and Timothy Faris, both of Bedford; a brother, Lawrence Edward Gilstrap and his wife Gayle, of Bedford; two sisters, Nellie Allen of Okeechobee, FL, and Juanita Thomas, of Bedford; two half-sisters, Bonne Sue Clifton and Betty Jo Brown, both of Bedford; two step-sisters, Oweeta Flinn, of Bloomington, and Helen Sovern, of Brownstown; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; brother, Robert Dwight Gilstrap; sister, Virginia Ruth Tweedy Durr; step-sister, Jean Horner. Funeral Information Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, September 27th in the Elmwood Chapel at Day & Carter Mortuary with Rev. Dr. Kregg Burris officiating. Burial will follow in the Cresthaven Memory Gardens with military rites accorded at the graveside by members of Gillen Post #33 and D.A.V. Chapter 2. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Friday, September 26th at the Day & Carter Mortuary. Donations Information Contributions may be made to First Baptist Church Memorial Fund.