Ray Lwayo Jembe
Celebrating a man whose quiet strength and kind heart left an impact on each of us. He gave so much without asking, and his warmth and generosity will be a part of our lives forever. May you rest in the comfort of knowing that your warmth and kindness live on in all of us.
Obituary for Colonel Arch. Ray Lwayo Jembe
Today, we honor the life and legacy of Colonel Arch. Ray Lwayo Jembe—a cherished husband, father and friend, whose unwavering kindness, quiet strength and a gentle spirit touched all who knew him. His life was marked by warmth, generosity, and a deep love for his family and friends.
Colonel Arch. Ray Lwayo Jembe, born on May 2, 1965, passed away peacefully on November 1, 2024, at Life Wilgers Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa; surrounded by his loving wife and family.
Ray was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2022, and soon after started Chemotherapy. In October 2024, the cancer had metastasized, and he started targeted radiotherapy. Sadly, his health declined rapidly. He faced his illness with remarkable strength and resilience. Despite the challenges, he remained a source of inspiration to his family and friends until the end.
Ray will be remembered for his humility, integrity, and the profound impact he had on those around him. His warmth and kindness will forever be cherished by all who knew him. His ability to inspire those around him, even during his most challenging moments, will leave a lasting legacy of hope and compassion.
A memorial service to celebrate Ray’s life will be held on 9 November 2024 at Hatfield Christian Church. Details regarding the service will be communicated to family and friends.
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A well trained architect, dedicated father, great husband, chivalrous leader and a dependable friend, he bestrode the limited time on earth like a colossus.
We shall miss you but we take solace in the fact that death is inevitable for us all.
Rest in peace, Ray.
Ooh jombajomba,
Indeed this world is not our home! When we last spoke you were excited about our plan to hold a get-together choma feast shughuli at msabaha in December. Death has robbed us of a jewel.
Your cheerful loving nature, beautiful accent, great advice and positive vibes will surely be missed.
They say seeing is believing, and it surely hurts differently and deeply to see the lifeless body of a loved one as a client at my workplace. Today unfortunately was jombas turn, but we trust in God to wipe our tears and comfort our broken souls.
It is well with our souls. Till we meet again on that beautiful shore, rest jombajomba Lwayo.
Lydiah Mwaka Kithi
A brother-in-law whom we dearly cherised, very helpful, very mindful and considerate to others without any discriminations. Ray was Kind hearted in nature, very loving and whom we dearly loved.
Ray lwayo, as i knew him was profound on developments. The monster disease has robbed us of a beloved, a humble man who together with his loving wife had began plans for their early retirement dream home on their 4acre land at Pindukiani Msabaha.
Being an architect, he had his design clearly layedout and was overexcited every time he spoke about the plan. Where the swimming pool would be plus he had various projects going on already.
My Mulamu would have been my neighbour....imagine the love they had for Winnie and I unfortunately, the monster disease has robbed us of him. We shall miss him.
Till we meet again Mulamu.
You were a quiet and very calm soul. As for the family, we pray gor God to give you strength during this very difficult time. May God rest your soul in eternal peace.
Bernard Ochieng Aoko..
2 Timothy 4 vs 7-8
I have fought the good fight, I finished the race, I have kept the faith, from now on there is reserved for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord , the righteous judge will award to me, not only to me but all who have waited for his appearing.
Rest well our dear brother
Your memory shall forever remiain in our hearts reminding us the importance of living a life of honour, facing challenges with graceful courage, loving others unconditionally, and above all, pursuiing a Godly life. Rest in peace, my dear brother
A jomba with few words. Calm, collected, straight forwad yet funny. The enthusiasm in your voice when you called us ‘jombajomba’ was felt.
I cannot reflect on my childhood memories without placing you in them. Christmas was memorable when you, aunty Maggy and the late madogo Furaha were around.
We were assured of the real deal of the feastive season. Dressing up and being taken to pirates beach was a big deal then, what more could kids ask for.
Oooh indeed uncles make life more fun and we had it all with you. We shall miss you and your beautiful accent.
Till we meet again jombajomba. Rest well.
Final Kithi
My brother in-law Ray, you came into our family and taught us that unconditional Love and humility exist, you loved and cared for our sister Dr. Maggie kisaka- Lwayo in a way that words cannot describe. You were the elder brother we looked up to, you always stood in the gap through Maggie, your selfless demeanour will live with us forever. May the Lord grant you eternal rest and my perpetual light shine upon you. It is Well 🙏
When I was in high school, uncle Ray opened his heart and home to me. He welcomed me in as one of his own, treating me like a daughter. His presence in my life provided stability, support, and a sense of security that I will always cherish.
I remember how Uncle Ray helped me with my Grade 8 project he spent time drawing the plans and we built a proper cardboard house together with electricity. I really appreciate the support the encouragement that he gave me.
I’ll never forget the Sunday Braais after church, sitting together sharing good food and laughter. Those moments were a testament to his ability to create a sense of warmth and love wherever he went.
Uncle Ray thank you so much for being you! Thank you for the love and kindness you showed me, although my heart aches I know that you are resting in the Kingdom of the Most High.
Jombajomba Ray a man always wearing a smile and very humble to the core.
A gift in human form whose worth cannot be measured except by my heart. I am broken only God knows...
For more than 10years i lived in your house with your family and the support you gave me was massive!
From seeing me through school, the pleasant suprise on my graduation to the every Sunday braais which used to be wewe na mimi making sure the meat was perfectly marinated.
Each adventure shared with you jombajomba is a chapter in the book of my treasured unforgettable memories. You fought a good fight you have finished the race.
Phumla ngoxolo my jombajomba
I am heartbroken, your passing is so painfull . You fitted into our family so well and became a brother we never had. The day you were diagnosed with Cancer we started praying as a family, you fought so bravely and through it all you held onto your faith. Your strength in God during this time was an inspiration to all of us.You showed incredible strength , courage and resilience. Words cannot capture the depth of my grief.
You welcomed my daughter Veronica into your home with Maggie and took great care of her for the years she did her high school. You played a huge role in shaping part of what she is today. I will always remember your smile and kindness. You were a great architect, and my home in Kitale is a testimony to that.
I take comfort in.knowing that you are now in the loving arms of our heavenly father, free from pain and Suffering.
Rest Ray Rest. We know God in his mercy has taken you in his loving arms.
Your Sister
Julie kisaka Wandabwa
The stories and memories shared by those closest to him speak volumes about the incredible person he was.
Uncle Lwayo was a quiet yet meaningful part of our family, someone whose presence brought warmth and comfort. We may not have had the chance to share as many moments as we would have liked, but the love and respect he showed to those around him left an impression on us all. His kindness, gentle spirit, and dedication to family were evident in the way he touched the lives of everyone who knew him.
We’ve heard stories of his strength in challenging times, and the laughter he shared with those lucky enough to know him well. And while our interactions may have been few, we felt his love through those stories and through the ways he supported and cared for the family as a whole.
In his passing, we feel the loss of not just an uncle, but a reminder of the importance of connection and family bonds. Though we wish we had more time to know him better, we honor him today by holding close the memories and stories shared by those who knew him best. We celebrate the legacy he leaves behind—a legacy of kindness, resilience, and love.
Rest in peace, Uncle Lwayo.You will be remembered, not only for who you were but for the mark you left on our family. We hope to carry forward your example, cherishing and nurturing the connections we have with one another.
Love you uncle and forever in our hearts.
It is hard to imagine you, Ray Jembe Lwayo, has gone! But I believe you have gone to a better place. We've been close since we met first in East London more than almost two decades ago. You were a welcoming and jovial friend that I could freely talk with about any topic. I'll always cherish your smile and enthusiasm in chatting, either on social or professional issues, whenever we met.
I knew you as a profesional man who valued and cared for his family. Always welcoming and inspiring.
It is my prayer that God, who allowed you to go so early, will fill the gap you have left in your family's hearts.
...till we meet on the other shore.
Today, pause to remember and celebrate the life of Ray Jembe, a remarkable friend and an extraordinary individual who touched the hearts of many. From our days together at the University of Cape Town to our shared neighborhood in Pretoria, Ray's presence was a constant source of inspiration and warmth.
Ray was a man of quiet intellect, always approaching challenges with thoughtfulness and wisdom. His unassuming nature belied an extraordinary professional prowess, earning him the respect and admiration of colleagues and friends alike. Integrity was the cornerstone of his character, guiding his decisions and actions in both his personal and professional life.
As a committed family man, Ray cherished his loved ones with profound dedication and love. His deep spirituality added a unique dimension to his life, reminding us of the importance of compassion, gratitude, and understanding.
Though Ray is no longer with us, his legacy of kindness, strength, and authenticity will forever resonate in our hearts. We honor his memory and the impact he had on our lives with love and gratitude. Farewell, dear friend. You will be profoundly missed.
Lwayo, my little brother who was just like a son to me was a special gift to the entire family. I was very close to him and I loved him deeply. A God-fearing, very loving, jovial, polite, focused, and composed man with a well planned vision for his future.
His death leaves a deep wound in me.
Lwayo wehu, I will dearly miss you but i hold on to the hope from the last video call we shared. We shall meet again on that beautiful shore my little brother.
Your Sister Winnie
To say we are devastated is an understatement. You were always kind, humble, thoughtful and reliable. I remember when I reported to UKZN you accompanied me on that bus ride from Pretoria to PMB & then u drove me to Edgewood. I felt overwhelmed but you offered me your support silently. You promised to return in the evening, which you did with a little box of Romanos pizza, and a padlock for my room. You also took me shopping for the basics to get me started.
You always made us feel welcome in your house. What tops it all was your love and support for your family. The ever present rock that they knew they could count on.
I remember my last visit to SA you insisted on accompanying me to the airport little did I know it was your way of saying Goodbye. We would have liked you to still be with us but God chose to take you to himself. He has journeyed with you during your illness and knew you needed a break. As Christians. We know this is not the end but a new beginning where you will be free of the hassles of this world. As you join the Saints we know you are smiling down at us and cheering us on and protecting your family from above. Dance with the angels our beloved brother.
I really miss the times you helped me with my projects, took me to school in the mornings, drove me to basketball and watched all the games you were able to watch. You always took time to support me, my two sisters and my mother. You were such an amazing person Dad. Your smile would always captivate and lighten up moods, your laugh was joyful and I miss every second of hearing it.
Every day I think about you Dad I cannot believe all of this is real. My dad’s really gone. Every single day I wish we could have spent more time together.
Dad, I know that you are in heaven and I just want to tell you that I love you, we love you. I wish I could have hugged you one more last time but this time I would have never let go of you. I miss you so much dad.
Dad you were blessed and now God has made you one of his strong soldiers, may you rest in peace Dad and I love you so much. I cannot wait to see you again someday.
Emmanuel Ahadi Lwayo
I cherish the 28 years that the Lord gave me to share my life with you. Ours has been a life of shared dreams, laughter, and quiet moments that spoke louder than words. Your humility, grounded faith and love for your family was unparalleled. You taught me the true meaning of strength through kindness and faith, showing us all what it means to live a life of purpose and grace. I am endlessly grateful for the love you gave and the legacy you leave behind.
Your sickness tested your strength in ways that most cannot imagine. Yet, even in the midst of it all, you held onto your faith, courage, and love for us. You faced every challenge with a quiet resilience, never letting it take away your spirit or the kindness in your heart.
I will miss our walks to the mountain, where we found peace and felt the presence of God together, and those midnight crossover prayers that strengthened our bond and our faith. Rest assured, I will carry on these traditions, honoring the legacy of faith you left in my heart. I know that even though you are no longer here beside me, your spirit and love will always guide me.
I thank God for allowing me to spend the last 21 hours of your life by your side. It was a gift I will always treasure, being able to hold your hand and be present with you in those final moments. I was so grateful when we stormed the gates of November 2024 together, praying, confessing our sins, lifting our voices to Heaven as we had so many times before.
Watching you take your last breath was one of the hardest moments of my life. In that quiet, solemn moment, I felt a mix of sorrow and peace, knowing that your suffering had ended and you were finally at rest. Though it was heartbreaking to say goodbye, I found comfort in knowing that you were embraced by God's love, free from pain. Your final moments will remain with me, a reminder of the love we shared and the strength you showed until the very end.
Mulumangu! nakuhenza na moyo wa kwangu wosi
~ Maggie
I learnt a lot from him during the time we spent together over the years. He knew a bit about everything and was always happy to share his knowledge on DIY, gardening, cars and so much more. So much of what he shared with me in those years became life lessons that I still carry with me today. When I moved to Cape Town on my own to start a new chapter, I often thought of him and drew strength from the example of resilience and determination he set when he started over in a new country himself so many years ago.
Though he may no longer be with us, Uncle Ray's love, light and lessons will live on in all of us who had the privilege of knowing him. I will strive to honor his legacy by approaching life with the same humor, strength, generosity and patience that he embodied. He was truly one of a kind and will be deeply missed.