Julia G. Ray

Julia G. Ray, co-founder of Ray Funeral & Cremation Service with her late husband, Jesse G. Ray, Sr., died peacefully Tuesday, December 17, 2024. She celebrated her 110th birthday with family on October 28, 2024. Born in Marion, NC to George B. Greenlee, Sr. and Elizabeth Johnson Greenlee. She received her early education in North Carolina and New York City. After her mother's death when she was 14, she returned to North Carolina, attended McDowell County schools, Barber Scotia College, Concord, NC and the University of Pittsburgh. Mrs. Ray would come to Asheville to assist her aunt, Josephine Robertson, a caterer and restaurateur. During a visit, she met Jesse G. Ray, Sr., and they were married in 1935. Mrs. Ray was a licensed funeral director and managed the funeral home and Ray's Dry Cleaners during Mr. Ray's civilian employment as an embalmer for the U.S. Army in Europe during WWII. In her own quiet manner, Mrs. Ray was a civic pioneer. She was the first African American to serve on the Asheville YWCA board of directors, first African American woman to serve on the Board of Mission Hospital, the first African American to serve on the UNC Asheville Board of Trustees and the Advocacy Board of the NC Center for Creative Retirement. She also served on the boards of The American Red Cross, Nature Center, Girl Scouts and Asheville Buncombe Library. Mrs. Ray was a founding member of the YMI Goombay Festival. She received an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from UNC Asheville in 2016. In 2022, UNC Asheville renamed Hoey Hall to Ray Hall. The university grants a family endowed scholarship in her honor. Mrs. Ray was a faithful member of Calvary Presbyterian Church and served in many capacities. She was also a member of The Links, Inc. Not widely known, she was proficient in embroidery, macrame, ceramics, weaving, sewing and picture framing. Mrs. Ray was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse G. Ray, Sr. in 1994; brothers, Bluford Greenlee and George B. Greenlee, Jr. The surviving family includes daughter, Wilma Ray-Bledsoe; sons, Jesse G. Ray, Jr. (Donna), George William Ray (Sondra) and Charles Ruben Ray (Thalia); grandchildren, William Bledsoe (Annette), Neale Bledsoe, Bryant Baird (Tichelle), Joyce Hicks (Sammy), Keisha Padgen (Todd), Frank Doggett (Danielle), Toye Reddick (Lamont), Harry Jeter (Kati) and Gary Jeter; several great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Closed casket visitation will be from 2:00-5:00pm Sunday, December 22, 2024 in the chapel of Ray Funeral & Cremation Service. Funeral service will be 12:00pm Monday, December 23, 2024 at Tried Stone Missionary Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Violet Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, you may make contributions to the Julia G. Ray Endowed Scholarship. Mr. Kirk Swenson Vice Chancellor for University Advancement UNC Asheville Foundation Inc. One University Heights Asheville, NC 28804 Check Made out to: UNC Asheville For: Julia G. Ray Endowed Scholarship Electronic donations can be made by using the UNCA giving website: https://giving.unca.edu/ In the middle of the webpage there is a section called "Strengthening Our Campus" Click on "Give Now" Enter the amount Click on designation and choose "Other" Enter "Julia G. Ray Endowed Scholarship" Complete the form with your name, address and payment information. An additional Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. To view a live streaming of the service, click the link below. https://www.facebook.com/events/2285980521772203/ To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Julia G. Ray, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.