Bro. Ray E. Provow, 73, of Paducah and formerly of Arlington, Ky., died at 9:11 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, at Western Baptist Hospital.

Bro. Provow served as pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, Paris, Tenn., Emmanuel Baptist Church, Mayfield, Ky., Bethlehem Baptist Church, Cunningham, Ky., Sedalia Baptist Church, Sedalia, Ky., First Baptist Church, Arlington, Ky., and as Director of Missions for the West Kentucky Baptist Association, serving Carlisle, Hickman, and Fulton County. He retired in October of 2010. He was honorably discharged from the Tennessee National Guard, E-4 Specialist. Bro. Ray graduated from Mid-Continent Baptist College where he was awarded an honorary doctorate. He also attended Southern Seminary through the off-campus program. His first and foremost calling was a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Bro. Ray was a faithful servant of his Lord and Savior, and a friend to all. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Shirley Kelley Provow; four daughters, Susan Blackman and husband Dwain of Paducah, Kim Radford of Barlow, Tracey Shelton and husband Randy of Mayfield, and Karen Green and husband Tim of Bardwell; one son, Tim Provow and wife Karen of Cunningham; 17 grandchildren, Chris Martin and wife Julie, Kyle Martin, Jonathon Blackman, Landon Blackman, Kendra Hayden and husband Andy, Travis Provow and wife Erin, Kirstin Futrell and husband Chance, Tyler Provow and wife Ashley, Heather Smith and husband Kenny, Josh Glover and wife Ashlee, Tasha Elliott and husband Michael, Dallas Shelton, Brent Shelton and wife Tara, Britney Linder and husband Jamie, Jeremy Green, Leslie Green, and Timmy Green; 10 great-grandchildren, Clayton Lawson, Hunter Buchanan, Hayden Buchanan, Brooke Elliott, Jayden Glover, Payton Hayden, Sawyer Green, Dane Martin, Addison Green, Harper Provow, Chase Shelton, Loren Shelton, and anxiously awaiting the arrival of Rylan Payge Glover; one brother, Billy Provow and wife Joyce of Atlanta, Ga.; two sisters, Aster Burnett of Fredericksburg, Va., and Nancy Knott of Dover, Tenn.; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Bro. Provow was preceded in death by his parents, H.E. and Amelia Provow; a sister, Faye Simpson Smith; grandson, Justin Green; and granddaughter, LaCresha Ann Carter.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, October 26, 2012, at Beulah Baptist Church with Bro. Ian Carrico and Bro. Mark Burnett officiating. Burial will follow in the Roselawn Cemetery.

Visitation will be held after 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 25, 2012, at the Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah and after 10 a.m. on Friday at the Beulah Baptist Church.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Gideons International, Carlisle-West Graves Camp, P.O. Box 608, Cunningham, KY 42035.

You may leave a message of sympathy and light a candle at www.milnerandorr.com.