Obituaries

Founder of Lawrenceville's Sosebee Auto Supply Passes

Daniel Ray Sosebee Sr. was 85.

Daniel Ray Sosebee Sr., age 85, of Grayson, Georgia, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, January 8, 2014, after a gallant fight to Alzheimer’s.    

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 58 years, Jimmie Mae McConnell Sosebee; two sons and daughters-in-law, Dan and Jan (Rooks) Sosebee, Jim and Shelia (Biggers) Sosebee all of Grayson, GA; two grandchildren, Robert Sosebee and Mallory Sosebee both of Grayson, GA; two grandchildren and their spouses, Daniel and Nan (Machen) Sosebee of Atlanta, GA, Dustin and Kristen (Stephens) Sosebee of Athens, GA; one great granddaughter, Mackenlee Rae Sosebee of Atlanta, GA; brother-in-law, R.B. Sosebee of Dacula, GA; sister-in-law, Doris Sosebee of Sun City, FL; several nieces and nephews. Mr. Sosebee was preceded in death by his parents, Augusta (Bell) Sosebee and Arbelia Sosebee; sisters, Ruth Wyatt and Pauline Hyatt; brothers, Dr. Louie Sosebee and Dr. Jim Sosebee; sisters-in-law, Agnes Sosebee and Mildred Sosebee; brothers-in-law, Tom Wyatt and Fred Hyatt.

Ray Sosebee was born on July 1, 1928, the youngest of six children.  He was a graduate of Russell High School in East Point, GA.  He received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Georgia.  While at UGA, he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.  He was a veteran of the United States Navy and saw action in the Korean War.  

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He established Sosebee Auto Supply Company in Lawrenceville, GA on July 1, 1958, and was later joined in the business by his two sons, Dan and Jim.  He was a member of the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce and in 1991 was named Gwinnett County Small Business Person of the year.  That same year he added the title of Georgia Small Business Person as well.  Ray was a Master Mason and member of the Lawrenceville Masonic Lodge #131 F. & A.M. and was also a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, and a Past President of the Lawrenceville Lions Club.  He and his wife joined Lawrenceville First Baptist Church in 1958 where he was an active member until being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.  

Through the years Ray served as Chairman of the Board of Deacons, Treasurer, Trustee, Sunday School Director, Sunday School Teacher, member of the Sanctuary and Saints Alive Choirs, and member of the Fellowship Sunday School Class.  He enjoyed the family property over the years with his family, church, Kidstuff and other youth & children’s groups.  Ray Sosebee was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend.  He will be greatly missed by his family, loyal employees, and friends.

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The Service Honoring the Life of Ray Sosebee will be held Sunday, January 12, 2014, at 2:30 P.M. at the Chestnut Grove Baptist Church in Grayson, GA with Rev. Inman Houston, Dr. Lamar Holley and Rev. Tommy Jordan officiating with Naval Military Honors rendered at the end of the service in the Church.  Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery.  Employees of Sosebee Auto Supply Co. (Active and Retired) and members of the Fellowship Sunday School Class of Lawrenceville FBC will serve as an Honorary Escort and are asked to assemble at the church by 2:00 P.M.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lawrenceville FBC, 165 S. Clayton St., Lawrenceville, GA 30045, Kidstuff – USA, 1525 Millennial Lane, Lawrenceville, GA 30045 or the church or charity of choice.  The family will receive friends on Saturday from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Tom M. Wages Lawrenceville Chapel and on Sunday from 1:00 P.M. to 2:30 P.M. at Chestnut Grove BC.  Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.wagesfuneralhome.com.  Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC, “A Family Company”, Lawrenceville Chapel 770-964-2411 has been entrusted with the arrangements.   

-Courtest of Tom M. Wages Funeral Service


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