Ray Meeks is now known as “The Flower Man” at Madison Correctional Institution. In fact his fame is so widespread that Ricky Dixon, Secretary of the Florida Department of Corrections, sought out Ray on his recent visit. Ray said Dixon came looking for him saying, “I hear you’re the flower man and I wanted to see your garden.”
Ray, sitting with his straw hat proudly showed Dixon his Zinnias, Cosmos, Marigolds, and Gladioli all in full bloom. These were the result of a rather complicated process through which Joan Rothrock spent months getting the seeds through the prison bureaucracy to Ray. In February Ray planted these seeds in the sand around his dorm and kept them watered and protected. He now has a dorm surrounded by beautiful color. The whole place knows about him, and he is happily proud.
On a bittersweet note, Ray also started telling me about a fellow inmate of his from death row at Union Correction Institution, whom Ray had known for years, James Hitchcock. Surprisingly, Ray discovered that James’ grandmother lived near him in Mississippi. She sold watermelons on a corner that he often passed. In fact once Ray helped James’ grandmother move some furniture. Ray said it had been remarkable to meet someone who had family in his hometown.
James Hitchcock was the 6th person executed at Florida this year, following 19 executions by Governor Ron Di Santis in 2025, the most executions in any given year in Florida since the death penalty was reinstituted in 1979. Ray knew each of the men well.
We at UCG have stuck with Ray since 1981. His sentence was commuted from death to life without parole about 10 years ago. He always appreciates the prayers and support of all of you.
Larry