Howard R. "Ray" Haynie

Howard Raphael (Ray) Haynie, 73, of Capeville, and a long time Eastern Shore business leader and restaurateur, died peacefully Monday, June 1, 2009, at his home surrounded by his family after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Mr. Haynie was well known and recognized for his operation of the Cape Center and Sting-Ray's Restaurant in Capeville, Virginia until his retirement in 2001. During his years of service, he became known for his Sting-Ray's baseball cap and white apron, earning a reputation for serving gourmet meals at reasonable prices while developing many new friends up and down the east coast. He is remembered for having a true love for cooking and serving quality food, but still taking time to stop and speak with patrons as they enjoyed their meals. Mr. Haynie bought into the Cape Center in 1986 and the restaurant's name was changed to Sting-Ray's in 1990. He became the sole owner in 1992. Sting-Ray's was affectionately known as "Chez Exxon" to locals and many travelers along Route 13 on Virginia's Eastern Shore. Mr. Haynie was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, April 15, 1936, the son of the late Howard Oswald Haynie and Mary Parks Haynie. His family moved to Saluda, Virginia soon after his birth, where he grew up and graduated high school. A 1958 graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute, he played trombone in the regimental band known as the Highty Tighties and marched in the 1957 Inaugural Parade for Dwight D. Eisenhower. After graduating from Virginia Tech he served three and a half years in the U. S. Army Artillery Corp and was honorably discharged in 1962. Mr. Haynie began his business career in the food production industry as a food inspector with the Virginia Department of Agriculture in Richmond, Virginia. For the next twenty- four years he worked in quality control and plant management with several large food processors such as Green Giant in Salisbury, Maryland, Joan of Arc, Turkey, North Carolina, Taylor Packing Company, Hallwood, Virginia, and KMC Foods, Cheriton, Virginia. While working at Joan of Arc, he started the first commercial asparagus crop for canning purposes in North Carolina. President at least twice of the Virginia Food Processors, Mr. Haynie was also appointed by Governor John Dalton to serve on the Virginia Sweet Potato Commission. He was past president and member of the Eastern Shore of Virginia Chamber of Commerce and was instrumental in organizing the Eastern Shore Harvest Festival, serving as it's chairman for eight years and co-chairman for another eight years. Mr. Haynie is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Sandra Bulls Haynie, a son, L. Sean Haynie and his wife Cindy of Colonial Heights, Virginia; a daughter, Shelley Anne Haynie-Sparks and her husband Keith of Nicholasville, Kentucky; a brother, James Stewart Haynie and his wife Joan of Newport News; grandchildren he adored, Max Haynie, Erin and Emily Sparks; one special niece Maryann Hogge and great nephew Tabb Hogge. He is also survived by several sisters and brothers-in-law. Mr. Haynie was an inspiration to so many in his battle with cancer and will live on forever in the many lives he touched. Visitation will be from 7:00 to 8:30 on Wednesday evening at Wilkins-Doughty Funeral Home, Cape Charles, Virginia. A Celebration of Life service will be held at his home at 3020 Jacobia Lane, Cape Charles, Virginia at 3:00 pm Saturday June 6, 2009. A private burial will be held at Black Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, Franklin, Virginia on Thursday, June 4, 2009 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Highty Tighty Class of '58 & H. Ray Haynie Scholarship, c/o Dave Spracher, Virginia Tech University Development (0336), Blacksburg, Virginia 24061. Please note on check "in memory of H. Ray Haynie." Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.doughtyfuneralhome.com Arrangements made by Wilkins-Doughty Funeral Home, Cape Charles, VA