In loving Memory of Elder Raymond Larry

Life Reflections of Elder Raymond Larry A Faithful Quiet Storm Raymond Larry was born in Chicago, Illinois, on March 6, 1957 to Cleveland Sr. and Catherine Larry. He was the fifth born child out of 12. (Both parents and his sister, Annie Catherine, preceded him in death.) Raymond attended William Rainey Harper High School in Chicago. While at Harper High he joined the basketball team where he played the small forward position. Basketball was his favorite sport which he would play from sunup to sundown. He loved playing the sport as well as watching it. His favorite player was Michael Jordan. In 1975, Raymond graduated from Harper High. Shortly after graduation, Raymond was hired by Montgomery Ward Department Store, where he worked in various departments. He was the father of two children, Monique and Michelle, from a previous union. In 1986, Raymond began to work at Yellow Freight (currently known as YRC Worldwide, Inc.). He started off as a dock man and later became a spotter. He retired from Yellow Freight in 2014 after 27 years of employment. Raymond married Almatha, the love of his life, on May 15, 1992, in Las Vegas, Nevada. They enjoyed 27 years of marriage. In August 1992, Raymond and Almatha joined Liberty Temple Full Gospel Church in Chicago. In 1997, Raymond and Almatha were both promoted to Armorbearers. Raymond faithfully served as the personal Armor Bearer for Liberty Temple's founder and overseer, the late Chief Apostle Dr. Clifford E. Turner. In 2000, Raymond was ordained a Deacon. As he faithfully served in the office of a Deacon, he was promoted to Director of Security. In 2016, he was ordained an Elder. He loved serving in the House of the Lord. He was very dedicated to his job in securing the church and its people. Elder Raymond was also a very attentive servant to his pastor, Apostle Sheraine Lathon. He was very helpful and a great assistant to her. Elder Raymond was an inspirational leader for the security team at Liberty Chicago. His team found him to be punctual, loyal, dependable and orderly. He loved working and serving with them and never asked them to do anything he wouldn't do himself. Elder Raymond was very faithful to God and the Liberty Temple leaders and members. Elder Raymond was a gentle giant. He portrayed a stern exterior. However, all who knew him loved him and the kindness and concern he would show, and his wonderful sense of humor, only a few people experienced. Outside of work and church, Elder Raymond had several hobbies. He loved music and wanted to learn to play the guitar. When he was younger, he would attend many concerts. He loved to fish and taught Almatha to love the sport as well. For many years, over the Memorial Day Holiday, he and Almatha traveled to Canada with his parents and other family members to fish for bluegill and crappie, cooking them right there on the spot. Elders Raymond and Almatha traveled often, to places such as Aruba, Cabo Saint Lucas, Cancun, the Dominican Republic and Hawaii. Raymond also loved to eat. Catfish was his favorite food and his favorite cake was German Chocolate. He was also very good with his hands. He once took Almatha's engine out of the car in the church parking lot. He fixed the issue, and to Almatha's amazement, he perfectly put the engine back together. Elder Raymond loved his entire family and especially loved and was devoted to his wife, Almatha, his children, and grandchildren. He genuinely enjoyed spending time with them, taking them out to their favorite places - Dave and Busters, Chuck E. Cheese and other fun places. He enjoyed spending time with grandchildren at Christmastime, too. He loved assembling and giving them gifts and preparing their favorite breakfast of pancakes and sausage. On Friday, March 27, 2020, as God called him home, Elder Raymond exchanged Time for Eternity. Elder Raymond leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife, Almatha; siblings Cleveland Larry Jr. (Monray), Betty Wilburn, Bobbie Larry, Randy Larry, Kimberly Larry, and Ronnie Larry, Deborah Curtis (Anthony), Vannette Larry and Ronald Larry; two daughters, Monique and Michelle; grandchildren, Madyson and Mason; two brothers-in-law: Anthony and Lee Hurst; a host of, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. He will be greatly missed by his good friends, Marvin Hawkins and Charlie Crosby; and members of the Liberty Security team - especially Michael Brent, Anthony McIntosh, Shedrick Anthony, Patrick Johnson, and Larnel Washington; the Turner family, whom he loved and worked very closely with; as well as the entire Liberty Temple Full Gospel Church family. Elder Raymond Larry, you will be greatly missed. Dear man of God, Rest in Heaven!