Ray Newman Easter, a man known for his strong faith and deep love for his family, friends, and church, passed away on March 22, 2026, at the age of 92.

Born on April 22, 1933, in Rural Hall, North Carolina, Ray was the son of the late Edward Lee and Dorothy (Nowlin) Easter and the youngest of six children. Growing up during the Great Depression, he developed a resilience and resourcefulness that shaped the course of his life. After serving two years in the Korean War, Ray graduated from Asbury College and later earned his Master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Ray dedicated his professional life to education. He began as a teacher before transitioning into counseling, where he served at several vocational institutes and ultimately concluded his career as a counselor at South Florence High School.

Beyond his work, Ray was a man of many interests. He found joy in fishing, tinkering, reading, and giving new life to items others might discard. He had a gift for rooting cuttings and cultivating bonsai, quietly practicing what we now call “upcycling” long before it became popular.

In 1999, Ray and his beloved wife, Marty, retired to Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, from Kingstree. There, they became deeply involved members of St. Andrew’s Mt. Pleasant Church. Ray participated in Bible studies, theological classes, Alpha groups, and choir. Additionally, retirement gave him the opportunity to be a devoted and active grandfather and great-grandfather, attending soccer games and school events.

Ray is survived by his daughter, Jana Vetter (Jeff) of Knoxville, Tennessee; his son, Marcell Easter (Susan) of Bluffton, South Carolina; and his daughter-in-law, Cathy Gilbert Easter of Greensboro, North Carolina. He is also survived by five grandchildren—Alex Vetter; George and Max Easter; Catherine Hamlin (John); and Ellen Jones (Laughton)—as well as five cherished great-grandchildren: Ellis, Albee and Wells Jones, and Jack and Henry Hamlin.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, his loving wife of 61 years, Martha “Marty” Gallimore Easter, and their son, Stephen Lowell Easter.

A casual drop in with family will be held Friday Night, March 27, 2026 at Kid Cashew, 1440 Ben Sawyer Blvd, Mt Pleasant from 5:00pm to 7:00 pm on their patio. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Historic Church, 438 Whilden Street, Mt. Pleasant. The family will receive friends at a reception in Sam’s Hall immediately following the service. A private inurnment of Ray and Marty’s ashes will take place prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Ray’s memory to Water Mission, 1150 Molly Greene Way, Building 1605, North Charleston, SC 29405.

Arrangements are by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Mount Pleasant Chapel. A memorial message may be sent to the family on our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.