1948 —2012

WAYNESVILLE — Sammy Thad Ray,  64, passed away  Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, at Mission Hospital-Memorial Campus.

A native of McDowell County, he was the son of the late Sam and Nancy Sherrill Ray.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Audrey Gillespie.  Sam was a U.S. Army Veteran and fought valiantly in the Vietnam War, receiving a Purple Heart for his heroic acts.   For relaxation, Sam loved fishing the many creeks and streams in the mountains.  He was a member of the VFW Post 5202 of Waynesville.

He is survived by a daughter, Molly Carver, and her husband, Steve; a son, Sammy Ray Jr., all of Waynesville; four sisters, Violet Vopp and Barbara Smallwood, of Anderson, South Carolina, Christine Gordon and Mida Hull. of Marion; three brothers, Walter Ray of Roanoke, Virginia, Bill Ray, of Waynesville, and Phillip Ray, of Marion; four grandchildren, Jarette and Jessica Smith,  Katlyn and Kristin Ray; and Nora Greene, friend and mother of his children.

A graveside memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, at Green Hill Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 1:30 to 2 p.m. prior to the service at the cemetery.

Memorials may be made to VFW Post 5202, 216 Miller St., Waynesville, NC 28786.

An online memorial register is available at  www.wellsfuneralhome.com.