Pitkin-Celebration of Life services honoring Edward Ray Anding, 84, will be held at 10 o’clock a.m. on Wednesday morning, July 1, 2026, at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Pitkin, LA. Rev. Andrew Johnson will officiate. Ray will be laid to rest at Blue Branch Cemetery in Pitkin, LA immediately following his services.

    Ray’s family will receive friends and visitors at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Pitkin, LA, on Tuesday evening, June 30, 2026, from 5-10 o’clock p.m. Ray’s visitation will resume at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Pitkin, LA, on Wednesday morning, July 1, 2026, from 8 o’clock a.m. until time of service.

    Edward, affectionately called Ray, by all who knew him, was called to his Heavenly home on June 26, 2026. He was a brick layer by trade and always worked hard to provide for his family. Ray was a man of strong faith and loved the Lord. He was an avid outdoorsman and spent his well-deserved retirement days working in his garden, staying busy outdoors, and taking his porch naps that he really enjoyed. Ray loved and adored his family and friends and cherished every memory he made with them. Ray was a loving and caring person and will be forever missed and unconditionally loved by all who knew him.

    Those left to cherish Ray’s memory include his three daughters, Pollyanna Gaskin and husband Scotty, Tracy Ware and husband Chris, and Tarah Odom; ten grandchildren, Brent Gaskin, Dana Maricle, Justin Anding, Steven Bosley, Candi Bailey, Jeremy Anding, Caleb Anding, Hanna Ware, and Caylan Odom; one honorary grandchild, Cooper Reeves; seventeen great grandchildren, seven great-great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

    Ray was met at the gates of Heaven by his savior, Jesus Christ; his parents, E.H. Anding and Loree Maricle; his wife, Shirley Anding; his son, Gerald Ray Anding; two grandsons, Jason Gaskin and Luke Ware; one brother, Billy Gay Anding, one sister, Patty Fay Anding; and one son-in-law, Chris “Tin-Man” Odom.

    Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared with Ray’s family at www.ardoinfuneralhome.com or on Facebook-Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Homes.