Ray Boswell

Friends and former colleagues remembered former Lauderdale County District 5 supervisor Ray Boswell as a plain-speaking individual who had the best interests of the county at heart.

Boswell, 73, died Wednesday night from a heart-related issue, according to Lauderdale County Coroner Clayton Cobler. Boswell served on the board for 20 years. His final term ended in 2012.

District 2 Supervisor Wayman Newell served with Boswell on the board from 2008-2012 during Newell’s first term. Newell said Boswell was a man of integrity.

“He always got along with me. He did what he said he was going to do,” Newell said. “Ray Boswell was the most conservative person I have ever met. Ray always had the best interest at heart for the common person.”

When it came to voting on an issue, Newell said Boswell’s first thought centered around how the vote would affect citizens overall.

“He knew how to put the needs before the wants. I’ll miss a good friend and the county will, too,” Newell said. “He was always there if you needed him. He was a telephone call away.”

Boswell owned Boswell’s Heating and Air Conditioning for many years.

Former District 1 Supervisor Eddie Harper recalled Boswell’s impact. They served together from 2004-2008.

“When somebody like that has served the community for as long as he did, I would say the impact he had was the biggest thing,” Harper said. “Ray was probably the best road supervisor the the county ever had and probably will have. He did a very good job of taking care of the roads in his community. He also played a major role in building up the volunteer fire department.”

Retired District 1 Supervisor Hank Flory said Boswell worked relentlessly for the people of his district.

“Ray and I worked together for 12 years. He was a hard-working supervisor who did a lot for the people of his district,” Flory said. “He was there when we changed from the old beat system to the unit system.”

Lauderdale County Election Commissioner Jeff Tate considered Boswell a friend.

“When I was first elected, Ray was board president. When it came to supervisors, Ray Boswell was one of a kind,” Tate said. “There was no question which side of the fence he was on. If he thought you were wrong about something, he’d let you know.”

Tate said Boswell was passionate about his three daughters and six grandchildren, along with a good card game. Tate said Boswell detested just tossing money at problems.

“Ray was one that always wanted to keep an eye out for wasteful spending in the county,” Tate said. “He was a supervisor who could get things accomplished. If he couldn’t solve a problem, he would put you in touch with someone who could. I was one of the lucky ones in that I never had any cross words with Ray.”

Former Sheriff Gunnis Hill remembered Boswell as a straight shooter. Hill served from 1992-1996.

“Ray always got along with me. He did what he said he was going to do,” Hill said. “He was a likeable person. He did his job as supervisor. I thought he was a good fellow. I thought he was better than an average person. He was straight up with you.”

Boswell’s survivors include a brother, Horace Shorty Boswell, daughters Tammie Pirie (John), Tanya Jay (Billy) and Tammy Faucett (David). Grandchildren are Bliss Runnels, Lexie Harper, Landon Harper, Luke Harper, Raegan Jay and Rivers Jay.

Visitation is from 5-8 p.m. Friday at James. F. Webb Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements. Services are Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Internment will be at Mount Gilead Baptist Church Cemetery.