Louis Ray Hamlin, age 91 of Malvern, died Tuesday, September 27, 2016. He was born in Malvern on July 12, 1925 to the late Charles Hamlin and Eva Smith Hamlin. Reared and educated in Malvern and Rockport he was a long time member of Third Baptist Church where had taught Sunday School and worked with the youth. He had worked in the textile industry as supervisor and served as president of a Textile Union. In his youth he was an avid water skier. He loved to hunt and fish. Ray loved his daughter, grandchildren, and great-granddaughter. He was the widower of the late Mary Louise Davis Hamlin, to whom he was married on June 18, 1949. She preceded him in death in 2012.

He is survived by his daughter, Cheryl Hamlin Vanwinkle of Benton; a granddaughter, Lindsey K. Vanwinkle; two grandsons, Scott E. Vanwinkle and Steven R. Vanwinkle; and a great-granddaughter, Mary Collins Bourne, all of Benton.

Ray was also preceded in death by nine siblings.

The family will receive friends at J. A. Funk Funeral Home on Friday evening, September 30, 2016 from five until seven o'clock.

His funeral will be ten o'clock Saturday morning in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Evan Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery off Highway 222.

Pallbearers are: Harold Lock, Dean Lock, Mike Hollingshead, Ricky Blaine, Shawn Meier, and Bart Walker.

Memorials in Ray's name can be made to the Mission Fund c/o First Baptist Church, 211 S. Market Street, Benton, Arkansas 72015, or Operation New Life, P.O. Box 164660, Little Rock, AR 72216.

Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.