Johnnie S. Ray

UTICA - Johnnie S. Ray, also known as “Njuzi” or just “Ray,” was born on January 18, 1948, in Newport News, Virginia to Bertha Shaw. Johnnie was an only child and was raised primarily by his grandmother Emma. Throughout his lifetime, Johnnie faced many personal challenges, so he knew firsthand how much more difficult things could have been. That is why his motto was, “I’m too blessed to be stressed!” He was dyslexic, so reading was a challenge. However, he became an avid reader and would sometimes skip school to visit the library. He also suffered from bipolar – manic depressive disorder, which he inherited from his mother. Johnnie was very observant of people and enjoyed being the quiet person in the room. He kept to himself and was grateful to have family and friends who loved him and cared for him whenever he experienced a psychotic break. Johnnie met Freddie Hamilton in 1972 in Philadelphia at a political event. At the time, Freddie was a single parent raising five children. Johnnie and Freddie welcomed their son, Njuzi Ray II, on August 23, 1975. We lovingly called the baby “Little Njuzi.” Johnnie became the father of Omar Ray on December 11, 1977. As a young man in the 1960s during the Black Power movement, Johnnie changed his name to Njuzi. He became a member of the Black United Front (BUF) and joined a chapter of the Black Panthers. Johnnie was a member of the House of the Lord Pentecostal Church in Brooklyn, under the leadership of Rev. Herbert Daughtry. In Utica, he was a member of St. James A.M.E. Church under the leadership of Rev. Richard Moran. Johnnie loved Black people and Black history. Although he was an avowed Christian, he also studied and practiced the Yoruba religion. In 1999, he and Freddie traveled to Accra, Ghana, in West Africa. They visited the village of Pankese and were honored with an enstoolment ceremony. Johnnie became Nana Gyane, and Freddie became Nana Yaa Serwaa. They were also able to visit the W.E.B. Du Bois Library. Around 2019, Johnnie was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and prostate cancer. In recent years, he had begun to lose his memory. Johnnie leaves behind to mourn his loving wife, Freddie Hamilton; children and their spouses, Pamela and Joan Hamilton, Christian and Linda Hamilton, Marc Hamilton, Paula Hamilton-Odom, Patricia Hamilton, Leverne Grant, Omar Ray, and Njuzi Ray II who predeceased him in 1993; grandchildren, Imani Odom, Isis Odom, Olivia and Dwyght Mack, Matthew Hamilton-Roux, Robert and Dera Hamilton, and Kwame Odom; great-grandchildren, Christian Benjamin Mack and Michael Hamilton; sibling, Susie and Allen Sampson; and a host of close friends, nieces, nephews, and neighbors. A Memorial Gathering in Johnnie’s honor will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 2:00-3:00 p.m. at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Johnnie’s Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will commence at 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home. For those unable to attend, you may be present virtually at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86269796004. This obituary was lovingly composed by Johnnie’s family.

Johnnie S. Ray

January 18, 1948 - February 24, 2026