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Obituary for Virginia Lou Ray
Virginia Lou Ray, 86, passed away peacefully Wednesday, July, 27, 2022, at St. Dominic Hospital after an extended illness. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 1, 2022, at Brandon Baptist Church, 100 Brandon Baptist Drive, with burial following in Glenwood Memorial Park. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. Monday at the church.
Mrs. Ray was born on November 5, 1935 in Jackson, the daughter of the late Wiley Chalmas Kendrick and Mae Thornhill Kendrick.
She was married 46 years to the love of her life, James ‘Jim’ Edison Ray. They met while attending Hinds Jr. College. Shortly after, they married and began a long and loving marriage always making time for one another.
Mrs. Ray loved to cook. The Thanksgiving Day meal was always her pride and joy, preparing a feast for her family. After cooking and having all the dishes washed and put away, she would announce, “the kitchen is closed!” She was exhausted but loved every minute of it.
She loved serving others with her many talents. Her family especially enjoyed her delicious chicken and dumplings, homemade pound cake, pies, and peanut butter cookies, all made from scratch.
Mrs. Ray was also a fabulous decorator. Although her last residence was a one-bedroom apartment, it was decorated beautifully as were all her homes over the years.
An accomplished seamstress, she could sew anything, another hobby she enjoyed. Mrs. Ray planted her own vegetable garden, growing green beans, tomatoes, and squash, naming just a few. She enjoyed playing bridge with friends and was a member of the Busy Bees Club in South Jackson many years ago.
Mrs. Ray was very active in her church that she so loved. She assisted with arranging and delivering flowers to shut in members. She volunteered for VBS helping with snack time. Always exhausted at the end of the day, but she absolutely enjoyed working with others and with the children. She adored her Sunday school class. After her health began to decline, she was unable to attend church regularly. Mrs. Ray kept in touch with her Sunday school class ladies whom she could always depend on.
She also played the piano and loved reading. She enjoyed the city library checking out books and reading her favorite magazines. She loved growing various flowers and feeding and watching birds. Mrs. Ray knew almost every species of bird, but if she didn’t, she looked it up in one of her many bird books.
Mrs. Ray loved shopping at thrift stores always, finding the prettiest treasures. She always took pride in looking her best, having her fingernails done, and dressing her best. Fishing was also one of her very favorite past times, just as long as someone else baited the hook and took the fish off!
Most of all she cherished the time she spent with her family and friends.
Mrs. Ray is preceded in death by her husband, James ‘Jim’ Edison Ray, her son James David Ray, her daughter, Robin Elizabeth Arender, grandson, Joshua James Martinez, parents, Wiley Chalmas Kendrick and Mae Thornhill Kendrick; sister, Kathryn ‘Kay’ Hill Weaver and brother, James Lundy Hill.
Survivors are her daughter, Wendy Walters (Tim) of Jackson; son, Joseph Ray (Karen) of Brandon; brother, Wiley Kendrick of Bovina, Mississippi and brother, John Robert ‘Bob’ Hill of Hendersonville, North Carolina and her daughter’s (Robin) husband, Mike Arender and her son’s (David) wife Liz Ray.
She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
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