Charles Hemphill, Jr.

Charlotte – Charles Ray Hemphill, Jr., 71, passed away on Saturday, January 16, 2021 at his residence.

Ray was a native of Haywood County, and was the son of the late Charles Ray Hemphill, Sr. and Doris Madia Wood Hemphill.

He was a 1968 graduate of Pisgah High School and attended Gardner Webb University.  He was formerly employed with Fruehauf Trailers and at the time of his retirement was a manager for KPC Research Company of Charlotte, a marketing company for the Charlotte Observer.  Ray was also a member of the NC National Guard.  Throughout his life, Ray and his wife, DiAne, traveled extensively.  He was an individual who loved his family especially his grandchildren.  Ray enjoyed all sports and was an avid outdoorsman with a love for his gun collection and fishing, and throughout his life, he loved to dance.

He is survived by his wife of 27 years, DiAne Reed Hemphill; two daughters, Kara Suzanna Weyhenmeyer (Mark) of Denver, North Carolina and Tiffany Reed St. John of Charlotte; a son, Robert P. Reed (Lora) of West Linn, Oregon; a sister, Karol Hemphill Leatherwood (Jerry) of Simpsonville, South Carolina; seven grandchildren, Averi, Eliott and Gideon Reed, Sutton and Reese St. John and Jahmael and Leah Weyhenmeyer; and a nephew, John Leatherwood.

A service celebrating the life of Charles Ray Hemphill, Jr. will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 6, 2021 at the Canton Chapel of Wells Funeral Homes with the Reverend Dr. Court Greene officiating.  The family will receive friends immediately following the service.  A private family committal will be held at Crawford/Ray Memorial Gardens.  The memorial service will be live streamed and can be accessed through Ray’s obituary at www.wellsfuneralhome.com.  Due to COVID 19, masks and social distancing will be observed.

Memorials may be made to Broyhill Baptist Children’s Home, 111 Sneed Drive, Clyde, NC  28721, or in support against human trafficking to TAT (Trucker’s Against Trafficking), P.O. Box 816, Englewood, CO, 80151.

The care of Mr. Hemphill has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Canton.