Harlan Ray Ashley

Harlan Ray Ashley went home to glory on January 28, 2022 at home in Nevada, Texas following a lengthy battle with lung cancer, at the age of 78. Funeral services will be held at Bethlehem Baptist Church at 1pm, Monday, February 7, 2022 with Reverend Larry Don Ashley, Reverend Jay Newsom, and Reverend Leslie Fitzgerald officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Wolfe City, Texas.

Harlan was born on May 4, 1943 in Paris, Texas. He retired from Kraft Foods in Garland, Texas in 1996. Harlan was a faithful member of Bethlehem Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon, visitation ministry and prayer warrior for many years. He also served with the Bread of Life Ministry of Garland sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ in jails, hospitals, nursing homes and to anyone who would listen! His passion was for the lost and leading them to a saving knowledge and relationship with Jesus Christ. Harlan loved the Lord and studied at Criswell Bible College and enjoyed serving the church with his knowledge of scripture and ministry of prayer. Harlan served on the Board of Hope of the World Ministry and supported it whole heartedly. Harlan was a cheerful giver and supported many ministries that shared the love of Christ with others.

Harlan was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved to build, do woodworking, hunting and fishing with his kids and best friends. Family and friends were very important to him, and he loved spending time with them.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Johnnie and Eva Lorine Ashley of Merit, Texas; first wife and mother of his children, Brenda Gale Ashley of Garland, Texas; siblings Leon Ashley and wife, Doris of Powderly, Texas and Kenneth Ashley and wife, Kay of Sachse, Texas, and his son Harlan Ray Ashley, Jr. of Farmersville, Texas.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Ashley of Nevada, Texas, sons Chad Ashley and wife Tonya of Savoy, Texas, Brian Ashley of Nevada, Texas, daughters Gwenn Erlinger and husband Ray of Frisco, Texas and Monica Joseph and husband Jereme of Argyle, Texas, grandchildren Lauren Hoodenpyle, Ben Ashley, Nathan Ashley, Leslie Ashley, Landon Ashley, Kayley Ashley, Brendan Ashley, Brody Ashley, Rileigh Marsh, Bridget Joseph, Brian Joseph, Rachel Erlinger and their families; seven great-grandchildren, sister-in-law, Nancy Bundy of Mexia, Texas and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift may be sent to Bethlehem Baptist Church Farmersville, Texas or Hope of the World Ministry Forney, Texas.
The family would like to express a special thanks to the hospice workers from Heart to Heart Hospice. Chaplain Victor Vaughn and Christy Kearn, RN were regulars in our home and their encouragement and support made a huge difference in this journey.