Margie M. Ray

Margie Miller Ray was a loving wife, mother, sister, and grandmother. She was born on May 3, 1939, in Charlotte, NC to the late James P. Miller Sr. and Mary (Colter) Miller. She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, John Ray, Jr.

Margie graduated from West Charlotte High School in 1957. While a student, she played on the basketball team and participated in other student clubs and activities. On July 11, 1959, she was joined in holy matrimony to John Ray, Jr. Her life’s dream was to become a nurse, so in August of 1966, she completed her studies at Central Piedmont Community College to become a licensed practical nurse. She served as an emergency room nurse for 22 years at Charlotte Memorial Hospital and University Memorial Hospital. As her children began graduating high school and while employed, she enrolled in coursework at Queens College and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to continue her studies in nursing. At the end of her career, she spent six years working as a nurse with the North Carolina Department of Corrections in Salisbury, NC before retiring. During her retirement, she served as a volunteer with the Red Cross and was a member of the Hidden Valley Optimist Club. She was also an active participant through Mecklenburg Parks & Recreation Senior Center.

At a young age, she was baptized by her grandfather, the late Reverend James Colter. In 1986 she became a member of Mt. Moriah Primitive Baptist Church and spent several years as a member of the nurse’s guild.

Margie leaves to honor her legacy: her brother, James Miller, Jr.; son Ralph Ray Muhammad (Dionne), stepson Regan Miller (Hannelore); daughters Gwendolyn Ray Holley (Derrick) and Tracey Ray Robinson (Allen) of Wilmington, DE, stepdaughters Mary “Louise” Ralit (Lord) and Amanda “Lisa” Hines, son-in-law Oliver “Donnell” Redd of Bermuda Run, NC, daughters-in-law Angela Thompson, Janice Ray, and Linda Grier of Inglewood, CA; five grandchildren, Nazirah Muhammad Ray, Jamil Muhammad Ray, Jordynn Holley, Samiyah Muhammad, and Aaliyah Ray Robinson; one great grandchild- Noah Milan; twenty-seven bonus grandchildren- Jamah, Johnny, Jermaine, Daron, Chris B., Rico ‘Lady’, Stacie, Makeeba, Antwan, George ‘Lil Ricco’, Kawanda, Kalei, Lamar, Rakim, Shieneme, Melissa, Natalie, John, Curtis, Amber, Morgan, Tanisha, Mario, Chris R., Crystal, Andre, and Andiah, as well as a host of bonus great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, as well as other family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her sisters-in-law Louise Miller, Margie Lee Ray, and Sarah Ray Sheffield, stepdaughter, Judy Ray Redd, and four stepsons, Johnny Ray III, George “Ricco” Ray, Curtis Thompson, and John Kenneth Grier.