A familiar face in our community, Ray is a lifelong New Bernian and grew up in the historic Riverside community. He is a 1970 graduate of New Bern High School and went on to study at Mt. Olive College and East Carolina University.

Upon returning home, Ray felt a strong desire to help others and began working at Pollock Funeral Home. He served his apprenticeship for funeral directing and embalming there under the direction of Mr. Raymond Pollock. Ray continued to work and serve families in his role as a funeral director for several years until he had an opportunity to own his own business by purchasing Carolina Cleaners. He successfully operated the business for many years before deciding to slow down and return to his first love, serving others in their time of grief and loss.

For the past decade, Ray has served families at Cotten Funeral Home and is very excited to continue to minister to his friends and neighbors in the New Bern area through Bennett Funeral & Cremation Care. Ray is very involved in the community and is an active member of Centenary United Methodist Church, where he serves as an usher and Stephen Minister. He is an active member, past master and past secretary of Doric Lodge No. 568. He is also a member of the New Bern York Rite KYCH, the New Bern Scottish Rite Bodies where he holds the 33rd degree, as well as the New Bern Elks Lodge.

Ray thoroughly enjoys all things history-related and is a member of the New Bern Civil War Roundtable and is a volunteer tour guide at the New Bern Fireman’s Museum. He is married to his wife and sweetheart, Debbie, and they have 3 dogs, Leo, Luke, and Murphy who bring them great joy!