Deacon Raymond Salley

Deacon Raymond C. Salley was born on October 5, 1947 to the late Deacon John “Cleve” and late Rev. Mary Salley
in Pelion, South Carolina. He departed this life on Friday, February 14, 2025 at his residence.
Raymond was educated in the public schools of Lexington County. He was proud to be a bus driver. He graduated
from Rosenwald High School in 1966. Upon graduation he received a draft letter from the United States Army. He
was a Vietnam Veteran and served his country for three years. He received an honorable discharge in 1969 with the
rank of Sergeant E5.
Raymond began his work career at Atlas Chambers after returning home from the military. He worked at Midlands
Health and Rehabilitation Center and then was employed at Mid-Carolina Electric Coop until his retirement in 2010.
After returning home from the army he met and married Lucille Jones and to the union two children were born: Rev.
Reginald Salley and Linda S. Foster. Raymond joined Darian Baptist Church at an early age where he served
faithfully until his death. Raymond was a true follower of Christ. He demonstrated what a christian life should look
like. He truly lived the life he spoke and sang about. He was ordained as deacon under the pastorship of the Rev.
Andrew Johnson and served as deacon for over 50 years. For many of those 50 years he served as Chairman of the
Deacon Ministry.
On October 15, 2011 Raymond married Laney J. Murles after being a widower for many years after the death of
his wife Lucille. It was then that he moved to Columbia, SC. Laney affectionately referred to Raymond as her
“knight in shining armor”!
On his many speaking engagements he would always speak from the Book of Job. He, like Job, never gave up and
never lost his faith in God. Raymond suffered many afflictions but like Job 13:15: “Though he slay me, yet will I
trust in him”. Through all of his sickness he never lost hope, his faith never wavered. His mantra was “One day at
a time, sweet Jesus and “I’m still holding on”. Raymond was dedicated to Darian and through his leadership
brought the church through many hardships and particularly during the periods when the church was without a
pastor. It was because of his faith and his steadfast love that he was able to get the church through those tough
times. Singing has always been in his blood and he began singing on the usher board at Darian Baptist church he
later sang on the group Junior Travelers, a quartet group that his mother Rev. Mary Salley formed. He was an
original member of the quartet group, New Industrial Harmoneers of North, South Carolina where he sang tenor and
was one of the lead singers of the group for more than 20 years. He travelled with the New Industrial Harmoneers
and sang in many states.
Although he loved quartet singing he never forgot about his first love and that was singing in the Darian Gospel
Choir. As he travelled around to various churches during anniversaries and revivals everyone loved to hear him sing
songs like “New Home”, “There’ll Be Singing Over Yonder”, “Life’s Ups and Downs”, and one that everyone loved
to hear: “Sweeter Land”. But perhaps the most profound song was “May the Life I Live Speak for Me”. Truly the
life he lived did speak for him.
Raymond is preceded in death by his sister, Rev. Isabell Scott and son, Mark F. Murles.
Raymond is survived by his wife Laney J. Salley, two sons Rev. Reginald (Cheryl) Salley and Nathaniel Wise; two
daughters: Linda S. Foster of Charleston, SC and Erica (Andre) Seibles; one daughter-in-law Chasity Murles; one
sister Minnie A. Peterson; one brother Deacon Isaiah Salley of Philadelphia, PA; two brothers-in-law: Rev. Andrew
C. (Patricia) Johnson, Rev. Regniald (Rhonda) Johnson; one sister-in-law Juanita (James) Benson; one nephew
Bishop William (Elizabeth) Scott, Jr.; one niece Mildred S. Dawson, both of Philadelphia, PA.; six grandchildren,
two great grandchildren, his lifelong friend: Deacon Larry Livingston and a host of great nieces, great nephews,
cousins, other family and friends.

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