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Joan Ray Obituary
Born in Russell County, Va., on Sept. 5, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Gilmer and Aston Adams Hess. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Sherman B. Ray, and a brother, Dewey Hess.
Survivors include her children, Sharon Ray and husband James, Carolyn Ray and husband Ernie, Ginger Hughes, Sherman Ray Jr., Rachel "Becky" Ray, Graham Ray and wife Jackie and David Ray, all of Lebanon; grandchildren, Jennifer Godsey and husband Adam, Amanda Ray, Mary Beth Dale and husband Kevin James Ray Jr., Jacob "Tiny" Ray, Amy Ray, Adam Ray, Teah Grizzle, Tristan Ray, Ian Ray, Dillon Ray and Devin Worm; special foster grandchildren, Haley, Allyson and Saniah; three great-grandchildren, Dakota Ray, Mackenzie Dale and Isaac Godsey; sisters, Reba Hess of Concord, Va., Tressie Logwood and Oma Anderson, both of Lynch Station, Va., Virginia Johnson of Salem, Va., and Mary Ann Smith of Bristol Tennessee; one brother, Garland Hess of Salem; several nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Rosemary Ray.
Pallbearers will be James Ray Jr., Josh Compton, William Ray, Justin Presley, Kevin Smith and Michael Gilbert. Honorary pallbearers will be J.P. Robinson and James Robinson.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, Feb. 9, at 2 p.m. at Owens Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Donnie Musick and the Rev. Roger Mullins officiating. Interment will follow at Ketron Memorial Gardens in Lebanon. The family will receive friends on Sunday after 6 p.m. at the funeral home.
Owens Funeral Service, Lebanon, is in charge of arrangements.
This obituary was originally published in the Bristol Herald Courier.
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Jen Godsey
July 19, 2012
Nanny,
Our family needs your strength more now than ever. I wished so much that I was half as strong as you were. My heart is breaking inside and I don't know which way to turn.
I know you are watching over us and that you are right by our side. I just don't know how much longer I can continue to be strong. Losing you was by far one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in my life and now I am forced to watch mom lay and suffer and there is nothing I can do. It just rips my heart out. I don't know what I am going to do. I know you will help me get through this but it is so hard. I want to keep her here with us forever but I know that is being selfish on my part so I ask that God let her go peacefully. It will be very hard but I know you will be there to watch over us.
I love you and miss you so much.
a ray
August 27, 2011
mamaw its been a hard day and i need you to look over ginger she needs you to just put ur arms around her an let her know ur there. i know this is going to sound crazy but when i need you i cab feel you around me ab at time's i can smell you an it makes me feel better so just do the same for ginger she's going to need it. i love you to the moon an back.
A Ray
June 24, 2011
Mamaw I don't know how I have made it for 2 years with out you I think about you all the time I talk about you to all my friends an I make sure they know how great you was there will never be anybody like you the day you left this world broke my heart an its never been the same an ppl might think I'm crazy but when I need help ur always the first one I go to I know you can hear me when I'm talking to you I can feel it in my heart an that night when I was as low as a person can get you saved my life thank you for everything you did for me mamaw I love you with everything in me.
Jen Godsey
February 8, 2010
To my dearest nanny,
I can't believe it has been a year since you left us. They say time makes it easier but it is still hard no having you hear. There is not a day that goes that I don't think about you and miss you.
I love you so much. There is so much that has happened since you left us. Marybeth just had a little baby girl. She is so precious and such a little angel.
I know that you are not suffering anymore and that is what matters most. One day we will be together again. I love you Nanny and I always will.
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Jen Godsey
December 3, 2009
Nanny,
It is Christmas time and it is not the same without you. I will never forget all the Christmas we shared together. I went to your grave today and I had to get a Christmas tree to put on it because I wanted it to feel like Christmas for you, papaw and uncle Jr. I wish so much that all of you were still here with us. I love you so much.
Jen Godsey
October 8, 2009
Nanny,
I just wanted you to know that I was thinking about and how much I miss you. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about you. We are getting ready for Isaac birthday party and I was thinking about his party last year. You and granny Tankersley sitting in the rocking chairs just rocking away. This year there will not be anyone to sit in the rocking chairs because both of you are in heaven. It breaks my just thinking about that. I love and miss you so much.
Jen Godsey
July 23, 2009
Nanny,
Please watch over us tomorrow and be with us. I hope tomorrow will be a happy day for our family. I love and miss you so much. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about you.
Jen Godsey
June 8, 2009
Nanny,
Lord how I miss you. I think about you every day. It is not the same here without you. I was looking at some pictures when I was little and I still can't thank you enough for everything you and papaw done for me. I love you so much.
Jennifer Godsey
April 10, 2009
Nanny,
It has only been two months since you left us and now uncle Junior has also left us. I don't know why he had to go so soon but I am sure God knows. It is so sad that we have lost you and Junior in such a short period of time.
Please watch over us and keep us strong. I miss you so much Nanny. I wish you were here with me.
These next few days are really going to be hard for us. I know you will be by our side watching over us.
I love you so much.
Love,
Jen
Jen Godsey
April 6, 2009
Nanny,
Today makes 2 months since you left us. There is not a day that goes by that I don't about you. Things are just not the same here without you.
Easter is coming up and I was shopping for candy for all the children. I seen you favorite "Cadbury Eggs" that I would always get you for Easter. Times like these are always the hardest.
I love and miss you so much. Please watch over us and keep us all safe.
Love always and forever,
Jen
Mary Smith
March 9, 2009
Sister, I know you are in Heaven where You belong for all the good deeds you have done through the years and the Kindness and Love ,You gave the people you have helped and took in and fed when they had nobody to turn to for a hand out ,to get them to where they were going. Cleo, you took strangers in,fed and washed their clothles and felt no fear of the danger that could have been bestowed upon you.My wonderful Sister,you can wear that crown proudly now and forever. NO sickness or sorrow,no suffering anymore.
Mary Ann
JEN GODSEY
February 26, 2009
In My Pocket
I have memories in my pocket.
They rattle among the change.
My memories of you are treasures I carry wherever I go.
They are stored in bits and pieces, parts of a beautiful whole
They give me comfort when I think I am alone.
Yes, I have memories in my pocket, like so much other stuff I keep there.
But of all the treasures I have, it’s the memories of you that are the most precious.
Betty Barrett
February 24, 2009
What do I say about my Aunt except she was one in a million. We all miss her so much. For those who had the pleasure of knowing her & being loved by her, you are very fortunate. She would do anything for anyone and she never met a stranger. My sisters & I spent many summers in Lebanon. They were the happiest times of my life. The memories are something that can never be taken away. To all my cousins, MaryAnn, & all my family there, I love you each & everyone and you will forever be in my heart.
We may have lost a wonderful person but we have to take comfort in knowing she no longer suffers. May God give you strength & comfort each day. To Aunt Cle, thanks for all you done for me & for being there. God got a very, very special Angel.
chelle
February 18, 2009
Nannie was a dear lady. I loved the welcomed feeling she gave as anyone entered her home. I felt so dear and close to this family. I cant find the words....know that i miss everyone and think of you often and that i m here. She truly was a blessing to know. with love always
Mickey and Jane Rhea
February 12, 2009
We will certainly miss Cleo and her sweet and loving personality. She was such an inspiration and her memory will always remain in our hearts.
Mary Anne Myers
February 11, 2009
A dear lady whose life will be celebrated by so many! I came to know Cleo in our younger days and will never forget what a good person she was. So friendly, fun and hardworking. I will always feel blessed to have known her. I am fully sure Heaven's sun is shining even brighter with her there.
Thank you, Ginger, for all the greetings you passed back and forth between your Mom and me. I regret I didn't know of her passing in time to be there to pay my respects. Please know, however, that I will never forget our dear Cleo.
TODD PUGH, PATSY PUGH DENTON
February 9, 2009
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AT THIS TIME. CLEO WAS A VERY SPECIAL PERSON TO US. GOD BLESS
Vicki Owens (Jessee)
February 9, 2009
Ginger, So sorry to hear about your Mom. She was a dear, sweet lady. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all your family.
Jessica Pruitt
February 9, 2009
I am so sorry to hear of Joan's passing. She was such a special lady.
I wish I would have known before today and I apologize for not making it to the wake. Please let me know if there is anything at all I can do.
Betsy Yates
February 9, 2009
I was blessed to have known Cleo for many years. She was a very happy and loving person that I was glad to have been able to get to know. My heart and prayers go out to all of you, at this time.
Rhonda and Vanessa
February 9, 2009
Sherman, We are very sorry for the loss of your Mom. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers!
Andria Rose Stevens
February 9, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Many memories will be greatly cherished.
Lisa Garrett
February 9, 2009
Sharon, & Tiny(Jacob),
May GOD heal your hurt hearts and give you comfort. If you need anything call me.
I rem. Ms. Cleo as she instilled my love for Dipped-Ice Cream Cones from the Tastee-Freeze.(smile)
Tim Dawson
February 9, 2009
Thinking of all of you. Will never forget Cleo from the Tastee Freeze years back.
Sandra, Kevin and Luke Childress
February 8, 2009
Ginger, Sharon, Jennifer and family, We are so sorry for your loss. May God you peace and strength as only He can. If there is anything we can do besides pray for you please let us know. Cleo was such a dear sweet woman and I loved her.
Tammy Ritchie
February 8, 2009
Becky and family: We are so sorry to hear of your mother's death. May God be with you in your time of sorrow.
February 8, 2009
Our love and prayers are with the family . Any thing we can do let us know. Anna pearl McGlothlin & family
Alfred Gilbert
February 8, 2009
I am very sorry to hear of cleo's passing. I've known her all my life and tho I had not seen her in years I still always asked friends about her.She was a very special kind of lady. She will be greatly missed.
Bervella K. (Birdie) Brown
February 8, 2009
Cleo, my dear sweet cousin. I'll always remember your laugh and smile. I can see you now in heaven telling things you remember to Mom and every one up there. Everyone glad to be together again. Your sickness and heartache healed. What a glorious day!! You'll be sadly missed. Love, Bervella (Birdie) K. Pinion Brown
Donna Long Parks Duane Leonard
February 8, 2009
I can remember the first time I met her... will never forget it.. she was one of the sweetest persons that you have ever met.. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.. If there is anything that you need please let us know..
Shirley Martin
February 8, 2009
Cleo you were one of my sweetest cousins.I always enjoyed being with you when we were young. Then life took us our on different a path, and we no longer were as close as we once were.But I always loved you.
Thomas, Kimberly, Jonathan, Cassandra, Earl, and Rosemary Ray
February 8, 2009
To the family:
Cleo was a wonderful lady and she will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure of meeting and knowing her. May god give u comfort in this to\ime of sorrow.
Nanny, Jen, and Belle
Jennifer Godsey
February 8, 2009
To my dearest Nanny,
I don't even know where to start because you are the most amazing woman that I have ever met in my entire life. You have helped to mold me to be the woman that I am today and for that I am so greatful to you. You always taught me to follow my dreams and never give up. You and Papaw were my rock solid support and always kept me going.
When I moved away I felt as if I had deserted you but you told me that is what I needed to do and you were right. I did not get to see you as much as I would have wanted to but I always knew that you supported me and loved me. I thank God that he provided a way for me to be able to move back home and spend the last few years of your life with you, and for those years I am thankful for.
Nanny, I am going to miss you so much and I love you more than anything in this world.
I know you are not suffering anymore and I thank God for that. I know how much you have missed Papaw the past 11 years and now you can be with him.
You have done so much for our family over the years and I don't know if we ever thanked you enough but I truly am thankful for everything you did for our entire family. I am going to miss all of your wonderful cooking. There is no one who can cook like you Nanny. I don't know what our family is going to do without you. Please watch over us and keep us all safe.
Nanny I love you so much and I don't want to let you go but God has decided that you will be his special angel and did he ever get a special one in you.
May you rest in Peace and watch over us. I love you with all my heart and I promise to you that you will never be forgotton.
One more thing before I go, You would have another great granchild. I did not get to tell you the news before God called you to heaven, but I have a feeling that you already knew. When God takes someone special from you he will help you get through it. I know this is God's way to help me get through this.
I love you with all my heart and I always will.
Jen
Rita & Leslie Miller
February 8, 2009
However long we are blessed with a precious Mother - it is never long enough and the time would never come to be able to give her up into the arms of Jesus. We cry what seems like endless tears as we somehow find comfort in the memories we have from the lifetime of unconditional love a mother gives.
Cleo will certainly be remembered by each person whose life she has touched and I am sure the number is enormous. Memories will always remain which will keep her always close. I love you all and please know I am only a phone call away.
Hop, Tanya & Cassie Ray
February 8, 2009
To All the Family:
Cleo was such a sweet and loving lady and having the honor to know her and have her friendship was a wonderful blessing. May God be with you all, in this time of sorrow.
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