Ernie Ray Oakley was born in Chicago, Illinois on June 29, 1957, son of Lizzie Mae Mayfield Oakley and the late Jimmy Oakley. He attended Coolie High School and later moved with his family to Woodleaf, NC. On April 2, 2004, he was united in marriage to Janice Griffin. Together they had four children. In 2006 he joined Clarks Chapel Baptist Church in Statesville, NC. He loved fishing, cooking, and family gatherings. He was preceded in death by his father, Jimmy Oakley and a brother, Jimmy Oakley, Jr. On March 7, 2011 he died at Davis Regional Medical Center in Statesville after a short illness. Survivors include his wife, Janice G. Oakley of the home; his mother, Lizzie Mae Oakley of Mocksville; one son, Ernie Ray Prude of Memphis, TN; one daughter, Chinna (Frankey) Prude-Anderson of Memphis, TN; two step-children, Jamie (Zanitria) Turner and Traci Turner both of Statesville; one god-son, Nathaniel Dulin; one brother, Harold (Neil) Hairston of Orlando, FL; two step-sisters, Louise (Ricky) Hudson of Salisbury, and Sheila McCassill of S.C; one god-sister, Tanunika Imes; four brothers-in-law, Ernest (Emma) Griffin of Stony Point, NC, Dwight Griffin of Morganton, NC, Vick (Betty) Griffin and Rev. Winford (Ann) Griffin both of Statesville; four sisters-in-law, Sheridan (Willie) Jackson of Polaka, FL, Joyce (Persalle) Smyre of Wilmington, NC, Linda Oakley of Long Beach, CA, and Nancy (Walt) Slater of Charlotte, NC; his mother-in-law, Mae Lois Griffin of Stony Point, NC; a long time friend and mother of his son and daughter, Elaine Prude; a number of grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ernie Ray Oakley please visit our Sympathy Store. Cemetery Details Clarks Chapel Baptist Church NC, Visitation MAR 12. 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM (EST) Clarks Chapel Baptist Church 806 Eufola Rd.Statesville, NC Service MAR 12. 2:00 PM (EST) Clarks Chapel Baptist Church 806 Eufola Rd.Statesville, NC