Postal officials say the agency is releasing a stamp featuring the Albany, Ga., native on Monday along with one of the artist's previously unreleased songs.
Charles was a singer and songwriter who pioneered the soul and rhythm and blues genres. He died in 2004.
Events are being planned in Atlanta and Los Angeles to celebrate Charles' inclusion in the series.
R&B singer Ashanti and the Morehouse College Glee Club are scheduled to perform at the Atlanta school's Ray Charles Performing Arts Center. And Chaka Khan is headlining an event at the Grammy Museum.
The U.S. Postal Service honors music legends each year by featuring them on limited-edition stamps.
