Mr. Ray "Mr. B" Bigsby

FORT MEADE - Mr. Ray L. "Mr. B" Bigsby, 85, passed away Saturday, January 19, 2019 in Lakeland, FL. Mr. B was born in Ludingtono, MI on March 20, 1933 and has been a very active resident of Fort Meade, FL for many years. He retired from Mobil Chemical Co. as a mechanic and dragline operator, and then went into business with his wife Betty Lou, and formed "B's Tees,' which they operated together for nearly 20 years. As Mr. B wasn't a man to sit idle, in his spare time he began writing, and became a very accomplished author of several books. He was a 1952 graduate of Scottville, Michigan High School; a U.S. Army Korean Conflict veteran; and a member of the First Baptist Church of Fort Meade, where he served as both the past Sunday School and Training Union director and teacher; the chair and head of the Puppet Ministry of the church; choir member; and went on countless summer Mission Tour trips.

Mr. Bigsby was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde Sylvester Bigsby and Gladys Jameson Bigsby; wife, Betty Lou Cannon Bigsby; 5 brothers and 1 sister.

He is survived by his children,David Bigsby and Lou Ann, Fort Meade, FL, Cindy Respress and Larry, Fort Meade, FL; Leroy Bigsby and Lisa Lakeland, FL, Mary Lou Williams and Jeff, Fort Meade, FL and Beverly Pawley and Tim, Fort Meade, FL; brother, Leroy Bigsby and Joan, Fort Meade, FL; sister, Betty Gillen, Pontotoc, Mississippi; 15 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; the many children raised in the Bigsby home and considered children to Mr. B; and also several nieces and nephews, many cousins and extended family members, and countless friends.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at Hancock Funeral Home, 945 E. Broadway, Fort Meade, FL. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, January 24, 2019 in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church, 307 E. Broadway, Fort Meade, with Pastor Kenny Slay officiating. Interment will follow, with military honors being given at the graveside in Evergreen Cemetery.

Hancock Funeral Home, Fort Meade, FL 863-285-8171