Ray Joines was the youngest son of William Newton Joines and Huretta McCaslin Joines. He was born at the family farm in Madisonville, Tennessee, on June 4, 1894. He died August 28, 1962 from Emphysema which he was believed to have contracted while working on the construction of Fontana Dam. He is buried in the Joines family cemetery at Chestua Baptist Church in Madisonville, Tennessee.

He was a wonderful man who loved life and enjoyed his family. He was married to red haired, Bessie Mae, who was born May 9, 1909 in Monroe County, Tennessee. Tragically she died June 7, 1953, of cancer after a long sickness.

He later married Mary in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

He also was the Father of Joe Strickland who was born to Charlsey Strickland.

Ray loved to cook. He worked for a while in Chattanooga, Tennessee along with Hiram Rucker Cornett and eventually settled in Chattanooga where he lived until his death.