Violet Ray, 88, of Celo, went home to be with the Lord Sunday, February 11, 2018 at Madison Health and Rehabilitation. A native of Yancey County she was a daughter of the late Alonzo and Bertha Robinson Silver and the wife of Troy H. Ray who died in 2006. She was also preceded in death by 10 siblings. Violet was a member of Browns Creek Baptist Church.

Surviving are children: Kenneth Ray, Aileen Laws and husband, James, Carol Loftis and husband, Michael and Vince Ray and wife, Kathy all of Burnsville and Steven Ray and wife, Felicia Barker of Asheville; 11 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 7 PM Wednesday, February 14, 2017 in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home. Pastor Shane Buchanan will officiate. A graveside service will be held at 11 AM Thursday in the Ballew Cemetery on South Toe School Road.