Rev. Dr. Ray Edward Hurt, Born in Richmond, Kentucky, to Virgil and Verna Hurt, Dr. Ray Hurt grew up on the wrong side of the railroad tracks, was told by many he would never amount to anything, and to set his sights low. He took this "challenge" and proved everyone wrong. He started this journey by graduating from Madison High School, where he played the trombone in the marching band and was on the varsity baseball team. His senior year he hit a grand slam! He then attended Eastern Kentucky University where he studied Music Education, performing in multiple concerts, and designing football half-time shows for the marching band. At that time, he was a professed agnostic and was on a fast track to becoming an atheist, but at a revival service, attending as a lost bet to his mother, God dramatically got his attention. From that moment on, he lived his life in total pursuit of and surrender to the God he knew was real.

He felt compelled to transfer to Lee College in Cleveland, Tennessee where he received a miraculous and dramatic call to preach the good news of Jesus Christ to everyone he met. Shortly after arriving in Tennessee, he met the love of his life, Carolyn. Together, they experienced a revival at the College where God drew them closer, and they realized they were meant to be together for life, partners in love and ministry. Responding again to being told he could not achieve, he double majored in Music Education and Biblical Studies, while simultaneously performing with the Chattanooga Symphony and leading Pioneers for Christ groups all over the Southeastern United States, Central America, and South America encouraging churches, singing, preaching, and seeing souls saved.

Through the years, Dr. Hurt relentlessly pursued education, continuing to silence all the doubters from his younger years. He was the first in his family to graduate College, earn a master's degree, and eventually a Doctorate. He had multiple certifications and was a voracious reader, teaching himself to speed read so he could devour a typical book in just a matter of days.

After graduating from Lee, he and Carolyn were married and began a 53-year adventure together that took them to churches in Kentucky, New York, Georgia, North Dakota and eventually landing in Princeton, West Virginia in 1992. From that time, he continued to defy all odds and proved a truth he shared many times with those around him, "Obedience to God will look like wisdom over time." Ray and Carolyn trusted God every step of the way, and God used them to grow a congregation from a small building on the corner of Oliver and Thorne to a thriving family of faith, a network of people who are making a difference in their community. This LIFELINE in the hills of West Virginia is daily transforming lives from hopelessness, oppression, brokenness, and confusion…from a place of defeat and despair to a life of peace, joy, and eternal purpose. His motto has always been the church exists to "meet the needs of people," and LIFELINE does just that. From feeding the hungry to caring for orphans, to healing the sick and brokenhearted, to sharing God's Word and delivering them from confusion, disconnection, fear, and lack of purpose, and it will continue because of his legacy.

He loved his family and was a loyal son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather. His mantel of authority and anointing will pass on to future generations through his children and grandchildren. He will be missed by his wife of 53 years who he referred to as his beauty queen, his sunshine, his "brown-eyed girl," whom he loved completely and faithfully. He was "plum foolish over that girl" and would do absolutely anything for her. Yet he was a man who loved football, John Wayne, and tough guy movies. He was an accomplished hunter and marksman, downing an Alaskan brown bear, two Canadian Moose, elk, mule and white-tailed deer, turkeys, and many other critters who were unfortunate enough to cross his path. He was "old-school" and believed men should be men. He modeled Christian manhood to everyone who knew him and showed by his life why and how a real relationship with God works.

Dr. Ray Hurt leaves behind a family who will miss him but is confident we will see him again. He also leaves a legacy of leadership and compassion for the men and women of Lifeline, and a remarkable impact on this community and the world.

Dr. Hurt was married to Carolyn Smith for 53 years. He was a loving father to three children, Colonel Jonathan Hurt and wife Heather of NJ, J.B. Hurt and wife Dana of Princeton, and Amanda Arnett and husband Brian of Clarksburg and Papaw to ten grandchildren, Kristin, Kelcie, Bradford, Carley, and Rebecca Hurt; Haley Arnett St. Martin (Lantze), Erin, Taylor, Carolynn, and Jonathan Arnett; He is also survived by brothers Mike and Kevin Hurt, sister-in-law Debbie Smith Atha and many nieces, nephews, and extended family   Dr. Hurt was preceded in death by his beloved parents James "Virgil" and Verna Hurt.

A celebration of life service for Rev. Dr. Ray Edward Hurt, will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, February 3, 2024, at Lifeline Princeton Church of God on the Oakvale Road, with Pastor Fred Farley officiating.

Pastor Hurt's service will be live streamed at

http://www.youtube.com/@golifechurch ;

https://golifelinechurch.com/watch-live

https://www.facebook.com/jbhurt ;

Friends may visit with the family on Saturday, from 10:00 A.M. until the service hour at the church.  Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Dr. Ray Hurt to Lifeline Church, 250 Oakvale Road, Princeton, WV  24740, https://golifelinechurch.com/giving An endowment will be established in his honor to continue ministry in our region.

Online condolences may be shared with the family via www.memorialfd.com .  The Hurt family is being served by the Memorial Funeral Directory and Cremation Center on the Athens Road in Princeton.