Ray Coleman Motley, age 84 of Chatham, Virginia passed away Sunday
morning July 16, 2023 at SOVAH Health Danville.

He was born May 27, 1939 in the Sheva community of Pittsylvania County to the late Cecil B. Motley and Ruth S. Motley.

He grew up in the Gretna community and attended the old Gretna Elementary
and High School where he had many fond memories of his school days.
He loved to share the story of how his 7th grade teacher let him keep
his new rifle and bullets in her closet that he had purchased downtown
before school so he could carry them home on the bus after school. That
was always his favorite story.

He grew up on a tobacco farm and knew the value of hard work and
always enjoyed working with the tobacco crop and his garden spots. To
him, summer could not exist unless there were multiple garden spots to
tend and talk about. His joy was always being around during
tobacco, farming, and hog killing times which he was involved with until the last few weeks, refusing to admit that he was wearing out and needed to slow down.

He was a member of Oak Grove Christian Church in Chatham but had
been attending The Jesus Gathering on White Oak Mountain where he found
great prayer support in dealing with his illness.

He is survived by his wife, Anita M. Motley of the residence and their
blended family of sons, daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchild.
His son R. Keith Motley and wife, Cheryl of Gretna; his daughter
Michelle Motley of Gretna. His son, Ryan Yeatts and wife, Liz of Chatham. His daughter, Tara Shelton and husband, Ronnie of Chatham. His grandchildren, Craige Shelton and wife, Rachel, Lillie-Paige Motley (Dylan Rowland), Laura Blevins, Garrett Blevins, Izabella Brumfield, Braxton Shelton, Desi Shelton, Colby Yeatts, and Caleb Yeatts; and his great-granddaughter, Violet Mae Shelton.

He is also survived by his brother, Sterling H. Motley and wife, Betty of
Danville. Three sisters, Pattie M .Farthing, Brenda G. Motley, and
Carolyn M. Shelton and husband, Bobby all of Gretna. Brother-in-law, Cecil C. Shelton of Danville. He also leaves many nephews, nieces, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins in the Motley family who have always been an important part of his life throughout the years.  And his dear friend, Mr. Fred Tucker who he talked with nightly.

He was predeceased by his brother, Archie L. Motley; a sister Cecil
Faye Shelton; and his granddaughter, Jordan Presley Blevins.

Funeral services will be conducted 2:00 p.m. Wednesday July 19, 2023 at
Oak Grove Christian Church by the Mike Waters, Minister, Rev. R.G. Rowland and Rev. Bill Soyars.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at
Colbert -Moran Funeral Home and other times will be at the residence of his son, R. Keith Motley of Gretna.

Colbert-Moran Funeral Home, Gretna is assisting the family.  Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.colbertmoran.com.