VALDESE Mr. Edward Ray Buchanan, 87, of Valdese, passed away peacefully, with his family by his side, Thursday June 30, 2016 at Burke Hospice and Palliative Care Center, Valdese, after a period of declining health. Mr. Buchanan was born Nov. 10, 1928 in Mitchell County, a son of the late Walter D. and Minnie McGee Buchanan. Ray was an active and faithful member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church, having served as a Deacon, Treasurer, Sunday School teacher, youth leader and a member of numerous committees. He was known as the Milkman, having worked for Burke Dairy and Sealtest Milk Co. for many years. He retired from Drexel Heritage Furniture Co. and the Town of Valdese as an employee of the Old Rock School. Ray was a compassionate and gentle person, a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and special uncle to all his nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Kester and J.D. Buchanan; and two sisters, Violet Oaks Barkley and Faye English. Surviving are his wife, Phyllis Berry Buchanan of the home; one daughter, Ann B. Carswell and husband, Danny of Valdese. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Kristin C. Baldwin and husband Matt of Anderson, S.C., D.J. Carswell and wife, Betsy of Granite Falls; great-grandchildren, Stone and Blake Baldwin, Braleigh and Bentley Carswell; and a number of nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 3, at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, with the Rev. Jeff Carter officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Sunday, at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, Valdese. Honorary Pallbearers will be Rays Sunday School class members. Memorials may be made to Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 704 S. Praley St., Valdese, NC 28690 or Burke Hospice and palliative Care Center, 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690. An online guestbook and obituary is available at www.heritagefuneralservices.com. Heritage Funeral Service and Crematory is assisting the Buchanan family.