Obituary of Nell W. Ray

Nell Wilson Ray, age 98, of Tremont Drive, Boone, died Saturday afternoon, August 21, 2010 at the home of her niece in Boone. Nell Valentine Wilson Ray was born February 14, 1912 in Madison County to Lewis and Mary Ann Metcalf Wilson. Mrs. Ray was a member of the former Missionary Baptist Church and attended the Mennonite Brethren Church in Boone. She was a housekeeper for the Kelley family in Boone for more than 25 years. Mrs. Ray is survived by one son, Gene Ray of Boone; nine nieces, Sandra Hagler, Louise Goins and husband James, and Roberta Jackson, all of Boone, Mary Denny of Oxford, Linda Steward of Burnsville, Cordelia Wilson of Philadelphia, PA., Mary Wilson of Morristown, TN., Judy Wilson of Knoxville, TN., and Shirley Wagstaff of Wichita, Kansas; four nephews, Joe Pierce Wilson, Jr. of Philadelphia, PA., J. C. Wilson of Morristown, TN., and Charles Wilson and Anthony Hagler, both of Boone; and one sister-in-law, Margaret Young of Raleigh. A host of great nieces and great nephews also survive. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis Ray, one sister, Zula Hattie Caldwell, five brothers, Grant, Ossie, James Bachus and Willie Wilson and Joe Pierce, and her parents, John and Mary Ann Metcalf Wilson. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon, August 24, 2010, at 2 o�clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Chapel, officiated by Bishop R. C. Bryant, Rev. Dr. Willie Flemming and Rev. Scott Cortney. The family will receive friends Tuesday afternoon from l until 2 o�clock, one hour prior to services, at Austin & Barnes. Burial will be at the Horton Hill Cemetery in Burnsville. The family will be at the home of her niece, Sandra Hagler, 150 Church Street, Boone. Online condolences may be sent to the family at our website austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Ray family.