Madison Central honoring Corey Ray

Corey Ray, the late former School Resource Officer and PA announcer for the Madison Central Baseball team, will be honored next week with a permanent plaque on the press box a the Madison Central Baseball Stadium, Gene Wright, director of Communications for Madison County Schools, said.

Officer Ray’s family will be present to throw out the first pitch. The presentation will take place around 6:30 p.m.

His mother, Karen Golden said Ray enjoyed all MC sports but that jag Baseball was “his heart.”

“I am just so, so thrilled they are recognizing him like this and that people are still thinking about him this far after he is gone,” Golden said. “It warms my heart.”

Golden said she knew baseball season was coming because Ray would set up a card table in the den with his computer to fine-tune edited music drops, walk-out songs and sound effects for use during the games he announced. She said that the table was usually set up throughout the whole season.

“I couldn't be happier,” she said. “I am just tickled pink.”

The ceremony will open the Jaguars’ game against West Jones. As of Wednesday morning, the Jags sat at 10-4 on the season and were playing in a tournament at East Central Community College in Decatur. 

On March 12, the Jaguars blanked Cleveland Central, 6-0, in Grenada. 

Corey Evan Ray, 41, of Ridgeland, died July 14, 2021, at his home surrounded by family and friends. His mother, Karen Green Golden, said he went peacefully after a lengthy struggle with an extended illness. 

Ray put in long hours at the school and would often go by to check on things on holidays and his days off, his mother said.

Ray was born on May 8, 1980. He graduated high school from Madison Central and joined the Madison County Sheriff's Office in the same year, 1998. He served with the Sheriff’s Office for 12 years.

In 2010, Ray joined the Madison Police Department and worked in Dispatch before becoming the School Resource Officer for Madison Central High School.