Mr. Ermine Ray Schmitz, Jr., 77, of Coffeeville, passed away Saturday, November 2, 2024 at Baptist Memorial Hospital – Desoto in Southaven.  He was born August 19, 1947 in Water Valley to Ermine Ray, Sr. and Deryl Willingham Schmitz.  Ray, Jr., was a graduate of Coffeeville High School and attended Northwest Junior College where he was on the basketball team.  An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting as well as watching any kind of sporting event on television.  Ray Jr., retired as a Supervisor with Kellwood in Coffeeville then later spent time farming and in the dirt and excavation business.  He was a member of the Coffeeville Methodist Church.  Known to many as "Daddy Rabbit", Ray Jr. was a gifted conversationalist and made friends wherever he went.  He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at First Baptist Church in Coffeeville with Rev. Craig Baker, Rev. Dennis Dorris and Rev. Truman Scarborough officiating.  Interment will follow in the Elam Baptist Church Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 PM Tuesday evening and one hour prior to the service Wednesday all at First Baptist Church – Coffeeville.

Survivors include daughters, Angela Dorris(Dennis) of Water Valley and Ingrid Holloway(Kyley) of Grenada; son, Ray Schmitz, III(Lori) of Coffeeville; step-daughter, Shanna Taylor(Rob) of Brooklyn, AR; sister, Trudy Simmons of Tillatoba; 12 grandchildren, Whitney Massey(BJ), Will Pilcher, Jr., Paisley Waldo, Walker Waldo, Annabelle Yelverton, Hydi Rose Holloway, Aiden Yelverton, Alivia Yelverton, Kai Holloway  Ray Schmitz, IV, Sarah Grace Taylor and Austin Taylor; and two great-grandchildren, Dawson Waldo and Brianna Massey.

He is preceded in death by his parents and a son-in-law, William Pilcher, Sr.

Bud Adams, Dennis Brown, Josh Campbell, Troy Campbell, Will Pilcher and Ray Schmitz, III will honor Ray Jr. by serving as pallbearers and carry him to rest in the Elam Cemetery.  Honorary Pallbearers include Tony Bell, Emmitt Brown, Pat Dunn, Kai Holloway, Samy McCracken, Eddie Simmons, Walker Waldo, Mac Wilbourn and members of the Scuna Deer Club.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada, (662-307-2694).