Patricia Thackston Ray

“Miss Patty” was born in New Jersey to the late William James Thackston and Andrena Anderson Parker Thackston. She was the granddaughter of Dr. and Mrs. John William Parker and Mr. and Mrs. William James Thackston, of Greenville, South Carolina.
 “Miss Patty” was a voracious reader and lover of art, music, history, and literature. In her later years she became an avid traveler, visiting more than thirty countries. Her relentless benevolence, selflessness, and nurturing nature was well known throughout the community, and she was well loved and appreciated as a result. Constantly surrounded by a swirling milieu of family, pets, close friends, social activity, and volunteer work, she always put others above herself. She especially loved working with young children at the pre-school and elementary levels. The impact she made on others is a wonderful legacy to her spirit.
   She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William Turner Ray, Jr, her infant sister, Mary, her sister, Jane Thackston Young, and her brother-in-law, David L. Young.
   She is survived by her sons, Ashby Thackston Ray, of Raleigh, North Carolina and her beloved grandchildren, Kettler L. Ray and Sutherland Turner Ray; her son, Randall Hinton Ray of Lexington, Virginia, and daughter-in-law, Kristi Redd; her nieces, Sarah Oakes, Charlotte Isgette, of Charleston, South Carolina; her niece, Rachel English of Murrell’s Inlet, South Carolina; her great nieces, Ariel Barnum, Parker Jane Isgette, and her great nephew, Harvey Oakes. She is also survived by her dear friend, travel mate, and companion for the last twelve years of her life, Wallace McPherson, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
   A celebration of her life will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 830 Durham Road, Wake Forest, North Carolina on July 7, 2018 at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Kindred Hospice, PO Box 70, Oxford, NC 27565.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Service 405 S. Main St. Wake Forest, NC 27584.
www.brightfunerals.com
 

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