Raymond Portis Jr., born on September 22, 1961, to the late Raymond Portis Sr. and Gloria Portis, was called home to be with the Lord Thursday, December 9, 2021. 

 

Raymond, the baby of the family, grew up in the well-known Wylie Court area before the family moved to Ivy City. He obtained his education in the DC Public School System, where he attended Kingsman Elementary, Eliot Jr. High and Eastern Sr. High School. He was a very active boy and participated in band, choir and the Rambler football and basketball teams. 

 

As Raymond became a man, he explored many professional opportunities. He spent several years as special police officer and later became a full-time police officer in Kingstree, SC. He drove the school bus for DCPS but is most known for driving 45 passenger buses. Our beloved “power driver” drove charter buses across the U.S. for 40 years. 

 

Raymond, also affectionately known to family as “Ray-Ray” was extremely particular about his image and his rides. He was undeniably handsome and sometime after returning to DC, reconnected with his high school sweetheart Le’Esther, better known as Peaches. The couple joined in marriage, July 25, 2015. 

 

Coming from a family of singers and musicians, Raymond naturally joined in singing with his family, The Carey Singers, which later became The Angels of Peace. Like his late brother, the power of the Lord fell upon him one day and he was instantly anointed to play guitar. He loved playing on his collection of guitars and played with many groups. However, playing wasn’t enough as he submitted to the call of ministry on his life. In 2017, he was ordained minister by Apostle Beatrice Harris of the Word of Life Church in Silver Spring, MD. 

 

Raymond was preceded in death by his father, Raymond Portis Sr., loving mother, Gloria A. Portis, sisters, Nellie Portis, Patricia Portis, and Pastor Gloria P. Carey Shabazz, and brother, Bishop Leon Carey Sr. He is survived by his wife Le’Esther Portis, stepdaughter, Shakida Pittman, one daughter, Jessica Ross, 2 grandsons, Carlos Dupree Jr. and Gioni Pittman, one brother, Fleming Carey Jr. (Marcia Carey), five sisters, Theresa Carey, Ernestine Portis, Renee Scott, Tallie Carter and Velveta Carey, one aunt, Shirley Lay and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.