Raymond Alan Mennitt

Raymond Alan Mennitt, 85, of Matthews, died at his home on Monday, April 22, 2024. Ray was born in Battle Creek, Michigan, on July 27, 1938, the tenth and last child of William and Mary Hickey Mennitt. At the age of 2 and with his father searching for work during the height of The Depression, his family moved to Summit, New Jersey. After high school, he was drafted into the US Army on September 25, 1957. He attained the rank of E4 and worked as a Supply Clerk, stationed in Ingrandes, France. Upon his honorable discharge on September 24, 1959, he returned home to Summit in the Summer of 1959 and began his 40 year career with Kemper Insurance. In his early years with Kemper, he took many advanced courses in insurance and earned the professional designation “Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter”. While working for Kemper, he met the beautiful Ms. Phyllis Lombardi who also worked at Kemper. In October of 1963, they were married. Kemper promoted Ray to Underwriting Manager and his family moved to Pittsburg, PA, in 1967. In 1969, the company transferred him again, this time to Charlotte, NC, where he has been a resident since. Blessed with a talent to work with numbers and people, he retired as an underwriter with Kemper in 1999 and continued to work part time with H&R Block assisting others with their taxes. In addition to work, faith was also very important to Ray. He was a founding member of St Luke’s Catholic Church and active in many of its ministries of service. He was active in the church choir, a lector, and RCIA (classes in the Catholic faith for new members). Ray and Phyllis were also in charge of the ministry of preparing meals for the Men’s Shelter for many years. Most of all, Ray loved to spend time with others. Whether singing with the group “Still Standing” before they disbanded, playing poker with the guys, or meeting his friends weekly for breakfast until COVID put a stop to it; Ray lived his life in service and the company of others. Ray also spent much of his time with his family. In the summer, they could be found together spending time at the beach. Now, Ray will remain fondly remembered and sadly missed. Ray is survived by his four beautiful children: Ray (wife Tammie) Mennitt Jr of Unionville, NC, Mark (wife Ellen) Mennitt of Waxhaw, NC, Christine (husband Michael) Murray of Durham, NC, and David (wife Eve) Mennitt of Charlotte; and six grandchildren: Aaron, Jack, Sam, Alex, Demi and Nora. Ray is further survived by his church family at St. Luke’s Catholic Church as well as numerous other relatives and friends. Ray was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis, his parents, 5 brothers and 4 sisters. Before his passing, Ray had chosen to give Lowe-Neddo Funeral Home the privilege of caring for him and his family during this time. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St Luke Catholic Church at 10 AM on Friday, May 3, 2024. Following the Mass, all are invited to proceed to the old Saint Luke Catholic Church location for inurnment in the church columbarium, visitation and luncheon. In honor of he and his wife’s commitment to the men’s shelter, the family respectfully requests donations in Ray’s name be made to Roof Above, online at https://www.roofabove.org/donate/ “Though my flesh and my heart fail, God is the rock of my heart, my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26

Raymond Alan Mennitt

July 27, 1938 - April 22, 2024