In Memory of Ray McCurdy

Hello, my name is Chelsea Ardisson. I am the granddaughter of Ray and Brenda McCurdy.

As some of you may know, Ray passed away peacefully due to COVID complications on Friday, January 28th, 2022. As I type this, it does not seem possible that he is no longer with us. He was an endearing man who taught me that to listen well was to love well. He had a knack for sharing his endless knowledge of planes and gardening with anyone who would listen. Lucky for us, we are a family that holds flying and gardening near and dear to our hearts! He loved playing cards with friends and family, dancing around the kitchen when he tasted something delicious, and studying his well worn Bible. Above all else, he cherished his wife and sweetheart Brenda McCurdy.

This fundraiser is being set up in memoriam to honor his last wishes that his wife Brenda be well taken care of in the event that he was no longer able to be there for her. He loved her dearly, and as those of you who were closest to Ray and Brenda are aware, Brenda has been struggling with dementia over the past few years. In the most recent months, it has begun to set in and noticeably affect her daily life. Ray requested that she never be left alone or uncared for in his absence as she often forgets where she is. Thankfully, before he passed, he was able to make a plan with our family to create a new home for Brenda in an amazing memory care community at Clarendale in Nashville, Tennessee. It is situated about ten minutes from our family home, and I am happy to say that Brenda is being provided with the highest quality of life suited to her needs.

As a family, we have made sure to bring as much of their Georgia home to her new home in Tennessee as possible. She has her favorite comfy chair, clothes, blankets, stuffed animals, jewelry, and photographs. Because of the proximity of her new community, we are able to visit her on a daily basis as a family! Ray also requested that she be in a community where she could form friendships, which I am happy to say is already the case at Clarendale! The most wonderful thing about her new home is that she is being provided with daily activities that are one on one and are helpful in preserving (or recovering) her memories. It is very important to our family that she be given all the tools needed to try and maintain her sense of self.

I have set our fundraising goal at approximately what one years worth of memory care costs for Brenda. Any donations will honor Ray's request to help Brenda in his absence, and go directly to her account at Clarendale to provide her with the best care.

Thank you so much for the love and friendship you have given and continue to give to Ray and Brenda.

Please keep everyone in our family in your thoughts and prayers as we navigate this truly devastating time.