Ray Alton Church, 70, of Shelby, passed away on Friday, August 02, 2013. 

A native of Cleveland County, he was born on June 18, 1943, a son of the late Norman Enoch and Pearl Short Church. He left Shelby to work for General Motors; he worked his way up from plant chairman to President of the United Auto Workers. Before he retired, he was part of the Local 22 International Union and stepped down to come back to Shelby to spend the rest of his days with his family.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his son, Timothy Joe Church; brothers, Lee Rue “Tank” Church and Hugh Dean “Buster” Church; his sisters, Ivy Jean Church Walker and Laura Bell “Snook” Flowers.

He is survived by his children, Johnny Ray Church of the Home; Sherry Lynn Church Blankenship and husband Randy of Michigan, Janet Marie Church Holtsclaw and husband Danny of Ellenboro, Dwayne Allen Church and wife Lee of Hendersonville, and Joshua Ray Dyer of Shelby; his brothers, Virgin Church and wife Wass, Billy Joe Church, and brother-in-law, Kenneth Flowers; his sisters, Vernie Francis Church Jones and Earlene Church Newman and husband Don; grandchildren, Justin Orville Blankenship, Taylor Rae Blankenship, Molly Lynn Blankenship, all of Michigan, Landon Allen Holtsclaw of Ellenboro, Samuel Dalton Church of Hendersonville, Caleb Ward of Rutherfordton, and Jaylin Noelle Dyer of Michgan. He is also survived by numerous beloved nieces and nephew and special friends.

Funeral services were held at the A.C. McKinney Memorial Chapel. Burial followed at Union Baptist Church Cemetery of Polkville. 

McKinney-Landreth & Carroll Funeral and Cremation Service is serving the Church family.