Effie Lee Chatmon

Mrs. Effie Lee Chatmon (nee Ray) age 91 departed this life on Thursday, January 31, 2019 with
her loving son Anthony, grandson Chris and granddaughter Andrea at her side.
"Big" as she was affectionately known by her family was born on March 13, 1927 to the late
John Ray Sr "Che" and Effie Lee Johnson Ray "Mammie" in Culleoka, Tennessee. Effie
received her early education in the Culleoka school system prior to the family relocating to
Columbia, Tennessee.

In 1945, at the age of 18, Effie decided to migrate north. After a brief stay in New York City with
her sister Johnetta, Effie settled in the City of Dayton, Ohio, where she eventually married and
started a family. Shortly thereafter accepting Christ as Lord and Savior, Effie was baptized and
attended the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses for over 65 years.
In the early years, Effie worked at the Widows Home of Dayton, Rike's Department Store, and
Good Samaritan Hospital, where she later retired.

Big loved life and throughout her life she had a passion for taking pictures and sharing them
with family and friends. As an amateur photography enthusiast, she always carried her camera
looking for the perfect moment to snap a picture, whether at a park, at a family cookout, or
traveling. (Ready...say cheese!) As an avid traveler she loved traveling to places like Hawaii,
and Myrtle Beach. Her favorite places to visit were New Jersey and back home to Columbia,Tn.,
where she loved spending time with her family.


In addition to her parents, Effie was preceded in death by siblings: Ernest and Bob Garrett,
Mary Ray Amos, Sam, James Louis, Anniversary, Edgar, John Ray Jr, Johnetta Cox-Ali, and
Mae Lizzy Gooch; Children: Ray Devon Barnes and Savannah Susan Barnes Martin;
Grandchildren: Duane Anthony Barnes and Melinda Shyrell Barnes Moore.


She leaves to cherish her memory one son, Anthony (Brenda) Byrd of Dayton, two daughters,
Diana L (John) Motley of Egg Harbor Twp, NJ and Tracy G Hutton of Dayton.
Grandchildren: Regina C and Raegan M Barnes, Sasha L, Roy G, and Joshua R Martin,
Anthony C and Andrea C Byrd, Dana L (Ellis) Agee, Joelle M and Jon I Motley, Ashlea I
Jackson and Crishon Bibbs. Great grandchildren: Tayler R Barnes, Jarell, LeAnthony, Lamont, Leah Byrd, Amir and Riley B
Martin, Joshua R Jr and Jayla Martin, JaiLynn Jackson-Roundtree, Harlem J Jackson, Crishon
(Damia) Bibbs II and Cristian Bibbs. A host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends that Effie truly cherished; with a special acknowledgement to her niece Dorothy Jean Amos
Bellanfant.

A special thanks to Andrea C Byrd, for being there with her grandmother throughout these
trying times. A special thanks to Christopher Byrd, and Tayler R Barnes for being there with their Grandmother in her final days.

Family will receive friends Saturday, February 16, 2019 from 2 p.m. until the time of the funeral service at 3 p.m. at Newcomer North Chapel, 4104 Needmore Rd., Dayton, Ohio.


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