Ray Lathon – who lived on prayers, according to his grandmother, for more than two years after doctors expected he would succumb – passed away on Tuesday, March 28 after a long battle with a brain tumor. He was 7.
Ray was diagnosed in June 2015 when he was 5. The family was told the condition was incurable, and Ray was given a prognosis of six months to a year of life remaining. He finished his medical treatment that August.
His grandmother, Yvonne Rhodes, wrote to The American at about that time. She asked “the believers of the city to celebrate Ray’s birthday on September 23 by praying for him.”
The grandmother’s letter about Ray was so detailed and eloquent it merited a front-page story. At age 3, he recited the Lord’s Prayer during Easter Sunday service. He fed the homeless with his pastor. He helped his family cook, clean, garden and even repair cars. When Ray took deathly ill at age 5 and was hospitalized, he would ask his visitors to join hands and start a prayer circle.
“There was so much crying and such testimonies that came from this little boy’s belief in prayer,” his grandmother wrote.
That came to be just as true when Ray’s story was published in this newspaper. His grandmother said the family received prayers and letters from New Zealand, Japan, Jerusalem and all over the United States.
“Because of your prayers and prayers that came from so far away, and by the Grace of God, Ray has beaten the odds,” his grandmother said.
There were other blessings. Ray’s mother and siblings had an opportunity to fly round-trip to Orlando, Florida for a week at Disney World, sponsored by Make-A- Wish Foundation. The Cancer Society was a big help for necessities.
Then, in June 2016, at the far range of his prognosis to live, Ray had a setback. He lost his appetite and began to lose weight. Over the course of follow-up visits, the family was told there was swelling of the brain and the tumor seemed to have become aggressive. He was not expected to live long. Ray was discharged from the hospital to hospice care last July 5.
“Still weak, we took him home,” his grandmother said. “Pastor John and Elaine Mango from Universal King Ministry, Pastor Cassandra Harris from Hope House of Worship, Pastor Harry Walls from Christian Fellowship, Elder Marcus and Gloria Henderson of Mount Zion Church were at the hospital or came to my home to pray for Ray.”
The family was following biblical practice, Ray’s grandmother pointed out, citing scripture from James 5:14-15: “The Word of God says, Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church: and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick and the Lord shall raise him up.”
Ray did rise up. He came with his grandmother to the newspaper when she delivered a new letter asking for prayers again on his birthday last year. He was still weak, but very much his loving self. He celebrated his seventh birthday last September with family, friends and supporters, though went home from the celebration early as he was not feeling well.
Finally, this past Tuesday, as his grandmother said, “Ray went home.”
Ray’s Homegoing will be held Monday, April 3 at Compton-Hill Baptist Church, 3141 La Salle St. in St. Louis, with a viewing 9-11 a.m. followed by services at 11 a.m. Anyone who ever prayed for Ray or wants to remember him is invited.
“I would want to thank anyone who ever prayed for Ray,” his grandmother said, “because that is what sustained him to defy the odds.”
