Raymond Lee “Ray” Roberts—Nine Years of Silence for the Singer Who Played with Willie Nelson
The passing of Raymond Lee “Ray” Roberts on October 28, 2015, left a profound, musical void in Brownwood, Texas, and beyond. Ray was a genuine talent, a celebrated country music singer and guitar player whose passionate performances led him to share stages with icons like Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard. Ray poured his vibrant spirit and infectious joy into his music, etching his memory into the heart of the Texas and New Mexico music scenes. Yet, the heartbreak of his loss is deepened by the agonizing realization of his unmemorialized grave.
The Unmarked Resting Place: An Artist’s Legacy Unfinished
The most devastating detail of Ray’s story is the fact that nine years after his death, the resting place of this talented artist remains without a final marker. The irony is excruciating: a man whose life was spent bringing joy, music, and light to thousands, a man who stood alongside country music legends, has been lying for nearly a decade without the dignity of a gravestone. This silence is a profound insult to his memory and an emotional burden on his surviving family, including his father, former wife, and grandson. It is a stark reminder of how quickly the world can forget even those who shine the brightest.
Rallying Nine Years Later: A Final Act of Love
The community is now rallying with a memorial fundraiser to finally correct this long-standing injustice and purchase a gravestone for Ray in Odessa. This effort, nine years in the making, is a final, desperate act of love. It is a necessary mission to complete the story of a man who gave so much of his talent to the world. Every contribution is a commitment to ensuring that the name Raymond Lee Roberts is never again forgotten, and that his grave becomes a place of permanent remembrance, not an empty space hinting at financial hardship or oversight.
Honoring the Joy: Securing Ray’s Final Monument
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Ray’s family: his father Edwin, his former wife Lenda Starns, and his grandson Derek. Ray’s life was a song, and he deserves a final, beautiful verse. By supporting the efforts to secure his gravestone, the community can ensure that his final resting place reflects the vibrant spirit and infectious joy he brought into the lives of others. It is time to provide the legendary Ray Roberts with the monumental recognition he earned a lifetime ago.