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Mr. John Raymond Torbush, 69, of Hampton, GA peacefully passed from this life on November 2nd, 2023. Ray was born in Zebulon, GA on December 2nd, 1953 to parents John and Lorene Torbush. He grew up alongside sisters, Joyce, Janice, June and brother Randy. Ray was a member of Second Baptist Forest Park during childhood and was active in RAs. Ray graduated from North Clayton High, class of 1971.
Ray married his sweetheart Libby Martin on March 24th, 1979. They shared 44 years of marriage together. Ray and Libby moved to Rex in 1980 and continued his landscaping career in the Atlanta area. He worked various groundskeeping jobs, starting at Westview Cemetery with his dear friend Eddie Baldwin. He then served as Estate Gardener for Monarch Plaza, where he helped to protect the property at the start of many Peachtree Road Races. Ray also spent much of his time raising and training horses. He rode his first horse, Chief, and later Striker in Fourth of July parades. Their move to Hampton in 1990 gave his horses a pasture to roam in the backyard.
Ray was a current member of McDonough Road Baptist Church of Fayetteville, GA. He formerly attended New Hope Baptist, where he sang tenor in the choir and taught 8th grade Bible study alongside Libby. Ray had many hobbies including motorcycles, gardening, fishing, and cheering on his beloved Georgia Bulldogs! He enjoyed traveling to see sea turtles in Hawaii, whales and eagles in Alaska, the white sands of the Gulf of Mexico, and the beautiful mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina.
He enjoyed time with his family including many of his “adopted” children who lovingly called him Uncle Ray. Ray and Libby were blessed with many nieces and nephews as well as great-nieces and great nephews. Ray had a strong love for animals, especially his horses, precious puppies from Fawn to Missy; favorite cats Tonto and Kitay, stars among many adopted cats. Ray is remembered with love for his humor, his gentlemanly ways, his dapper wearing of hats, and his great love for all of God’s creation.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents: John and Lorene Torbush; sister Joyce Baldwin, and brother Randy Torbush. He is survived by his devoted wife of 44 years, Libby Torbush, his sisters: June Black of Newnan, Georgia and Janice (& Glenn) Whitten of Hiram, Georgia.
Ray’s celebration of life will be held at McDonough Road Baptist Church, Fayetteville, Georgia on Tuesday, November 7th: Visitation at 1:00 pm with the service to follow at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to McDonough Road Baptist Church or The Nature Conservancy in memory of Ray. The family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care Ray received in his last ten days with Southern Grace Hospice.
Donate to The Nature Conservancy here: https://www.nature.org/en-us/membership-and-giving/donate-to-our-mission/
The Torbush family is being assisted by Georgia Cremation of Fayetteville, 1086 Hwy 54 W, Fayetteville, GA 30214. Messages of condolence may be left at www.georgiacremation.com.
Kay Ahern says
Libby, Sorry for your loss. I am heartbroken for you. My prayers and thoughts are wth you.
Connie McDonald says
So sorry when I heard of Ray’s passing.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Stephen Tarver says
Libby sorry for your loss! Will pray for peace for you and your family during this difficult time.
CynDeity (Cy) Dunson says
Oh my heart is sad with yours, You have great memories or yes!!!
Soo many great memories!! 44 years!?!!
2GodBThaGlory!
Libby, the last time I saw your Hubby was at Walmart.. my Son LaDon said” Mommy Ms Libby Husband is too cool!” Yes Such a Blessed cool Man!!
We will remember the way we saw him
At Walmart . i will pray for your continued strength 😢 He is so blessed to have you as a wife! We love you Ms Libby and I’m only around the corner should you need anything!! Absolutely anything🙏🏽
Diane Coffee says
I’m so sorry for your loss but can see you have so many wonderful memories. I’m sending you a hug and a prayer.
Diane Coffee
Nancy crane says
So sorry for your loss, Libby. Ray’s with his Heavenly Father no longer suffering. My prayers are with you.
Jennifer, Melani, and Amaria says
We are sorry for your loss.
Sandy Coley says
Love & prayers to you Precious Libby. You know how you are loved at MRBC. You have touched
the life of many people. My granddaughters were blessed to to be taught about Jesus by you.
You are in my prayers as you enter this new life. I am making it
by remembering “One day at a time, Sweet Jesus”. I couldn’t make it without Our Father God.
We made it 47 years, I really know what you will be going thru & you will be in my prayers. It is a hard road but we have Our God to lead us through, Always with us. We will never be alone. I love you, Libby &
You will be in my prayers. I always have to remember “I am never alone, Our Father God is always with me & He will be with you too. I am here for you, anytime. I love you, Libby. I thank God that I met Ray at our church.
I know how you loved him. We WIll be with him & my Bill. I look so forward to joining our Jesus & our husbands in heaven. God bless you, My Precious Friend.
Jane says
Libby, my heart is with you. Please take care and know I love you. Jane
Tom Bruton says
Love you Libby. Will be keeping you and the family in my prayers.
Janet Bartlett says
Libby, am sorry for your loss. My deepest condolences for you and your family. You have some many memories to cherish. Prayers and hugs.
Kathy Lemieux says
Love you Libby and I’m so saddened by Ray’s passing. Keeping you close in my heart.
Bernadette Berry says
Libby,
Dear friend I am sending you lots of love and prayers. I am so saddened by Ray’s passing. May our Lord comfort you today and always.
Shirley Buford Hopkins says
Mrs. Torbush,
We are so sorry for your loss. We are praying for you. We extend our sincere condolences.
Katrina K. says
Reading this about my dear Uncle Ray’s life touches my heart and makes me so very grateful for his love of nature, animals, and sweet Libby.
Amazing Aunt Libby, I am holding you close in my heart and praying for you to have an abundance of strength and peace. You are such a blessing to us all!
Psalm 124:8: “Our help is in the name of the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.”
Jenny Wise says
Aunt Libby I love you so much, and I’m so sorry about Uncle Ray. I am sending lots of love and light, and keeping you in my prayers. I’m so sorry..:(