RAYMOND LEE STEELE SR.

Born July 21, 1933 in Fulton, Mississippi, Raymond Lee Steele Sr. was the third son of the late Eld. Archie and Sula (Spearman) Steele. Raised in Earle, AR, he attended high school in Nashville, Tennessee. After graduation, he served the U.S. Army during the end of the Korean War, honorably discharged in 1956.

He immediately joined his brothers in Gary, Indiana, working in its U.S. Steel rail division for over 30 years, and was a lifelong resident of Gary, IN for over 65 years.

“Raymond Lee” loved his family and his family loved him. Nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends affectionately knew him in different ways, always with a vibrant smile and humorous grin. He loved music and would tap his foot all day, listening to quartet music or the “spirituals” as he called it. He would request any one of his nephews on all sides of the family to “play that organ” before they left visiting his house and would smile the whole time.

One could always count on his jovial offer of ice cream, chewing gum or a plate of his delicious southern cooking. Most children around him and their friends knew him for a ride to McDonald’s and somewhere fun. He showed kindness and hospitality to family and friends for generations because he loved people.

Raymond was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: J.D., Luther, David, Alice Louise, Joseph, James and Christal.

He is survived by his wife, Geraldine Steele, three daughters: Theresa (Darryl) Williams, Michelle (Herbert) Trotter, Rashaun (Alan) Stanley, two sons: Michael (Dawn) Black, Raymond (Tamika) Steele Jr., 11 grandchildren: Marquita, Darryl Jr, Alisha, Shemiah, Michael Jr., Andrew, Nathan, Nicholas, Sydney, Alaina, Alissa; seven great grandchildren; his brother, Moses Steele of Gary, IN, one brother in law, Willie Faust of Jacksonville, FL; sisters- in-law: Deloris Black of Calumet City, IL, Elizabeth Birdsong of Minneapolis, MN, Rosemary Steele of Detroit, MI, Willette Steele of Carmel, IN, and Hattie Steele of Harvest, AL.

With a host of over 30 nieces and nephews; more than 50 great nieces and nephews, beloved by neighbors and friends alike, he will be truly missed.

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