Janet Ray

Janet Maxine Connor Ray passed away at Skyland Care Center on Sunday, April 4, 2021.

Janet was a native of Jackson County and resident in Haywood County for the majority of her life.  Janet was the oldest of three children of the late James Verlin Connor and the late Frances Allison Connor.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, the late James Ernest Ray.

Left to cherish Janet’s memory are her children: Brandon Ray of Waynesville, North Carolina and daughter, Krista Ray and husband Jared Pyle of Sugar Hill, Georgia; four grandchildren, Senia Pyle, Cecily Pyle, Pyper Ray, and Bella Ray, along with her brothers Dale Connor and Mark Connor, and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends.

Janet graduated from Smoky Mountain High School and attended South Western Community College for her nursing degree. She was employed as a nurse for well over twenty dedicated years caring for numerous patients and families. Janet was a member of Pleasant Balsam Baptist Church. She loved her children and grandchildren with all her heart and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

A memorial service will be held to honor the life of Janet at 3pm on Sunday, April 11, 2021, at Pleasant Balsam Baptist Church, 2262 Old Balsam Road, Waynesville, North Carolina. The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. until service time at the church.