Raynoma Gordy Singleton, Songwriter and record producer, Died at 79

Raynoma “Ray” Mayberry Liles Gordy Singleton was born on March 8, 1937, in Detroit, Michigan and died on November 11, 2016.

She was an American R&B producer, songwriter, and vocalist.

Singleton was perhaps best known for her association with ex-husband, Berry Gordy during the early days of Motown when she was often known as Miss Ray.

Raynoma was her mother Lucille’s eighth child, but her first by her marriage to Ashby Mayberry.

Her father worked as a janitor for Cadillac, and he did well enough to purchase a house on Detroit’s Blaine Street in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood.

During the mid-1950s, Raynoma met and married Charles Liles, an aspiring musician.

Together they had one son, Cliff Liles, born in December 1955. Burdened by financial pressures, the marriage soon folded.

She was married three times and has three sons and one daughter from her various marriages.

Raynoma Gordy Singleton passed away at 79 years old.