Ray S. Ellerbe

Born Samuel Ray Ellerbe on June 5, in Long Branch, NJ to Fannie May & James Ellerbe. Ray is the middle child out of 10 brothers & sisters. Him & his siblings grew up in New Jersey while his mom Fannie May was a pastor who ministered between New York, New Jersey, & Virginia. As a young boy he had already decided he wanted to be an entertainer being inspired by his sisters who were very established but unknown singers who sometimes sold out most places they sung at. Ray went to Salem High school in New Jersey then finished up his last 2 years at a school in Tappahannock, Virginia. In 1980 during a trip to the local Department of Motor Vehicles, the lady working at the counter he was being processed for his license told him he had to use the name everyone called him, instead of putting Samuel Ellerbe she entered Ray Ellerbe legally changing his name, something that would never happen today. Soon after Ray married Everitta & fathered 3 sons named Curtis, Marcus, & Austin Ellerbe. In 1992 R