Ethel Ray

Burlington/Waynesville, Ethel Lottie Caroline Messer Ray, 88, passed away on Saturday, October 29, 2016 at Hospice and Palliative Care Center in Burlington. A native of Haywood County, she was the daughter of the late Glen and Burr Leatherwood Messer. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Harry Ray who died in 1989; two grandchildren, Brett and Jeffrey Ray; two sisters Elizabeth Grasty and Ella Sue Davisson; two brothers, Audrey and Earnest Messer. Ethel was a kind, compassionate and caring woman of God. Her selfless spirit will forever live on in the hearts of her family. Ethel is survived by one son, David Ray, of Burlington, North Carolina; one sister, Elease Messer, and her husband, Daniel; one brother, Lester Messer, and his wife Ruby, all of Waynesville; one granddaughter-in-law, Jennifer Ray, of Burlington; two great-grandchildren; Cheyenne and Evan Ray Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, November 4, 2016 in the Waynesville chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Reverend Mark Robertson officiating. Burial will follow at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. The family would like to extend thanks to her caretakers, Annette Jones, Virginia Davis and Rita Agnew. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gideon International, Haywood West Camp, c/o Dan Messer, 186 Clark Drive, Waynesville, NC 28786 or Faith Bible Chapel, 1013 W. Webb Avenue, Burlington, NC 27217.

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