Maxie Fletcher Ray

Maxie Fletcher Ray, 93 years young, went to heaven on Saturday, December 18, 2010. She had recently been hospitalized for heart and lung problems. She peacefully rested in her home bed.

As a young girl, Maxie and Edith Fletcher McClanahan and their sisters would travel to the old poplar tree to walk each other home after they played together. They have nurtured their friendship since babyhood. This half-way point of saying good-by was met again last evening. Edith called and shared her love for Maxie. It was an unforeseen good-by for them.

As an adventurous girl, Maxie put her foot in a mouse trap in the dairy which had running cold water cooling the milk and butter. Maxie gasped and was quiet when the trap caught her. Gladys, her older sister, shouted and screamed, "Maxie has died. She is in heaven." Their Parents: Elbert Perry Fletcher and Martha Jane Hale came running to see the commotion. Maxie exhaled when she hear them say that she was alright and removed the trap from her foot. Her calm composure and analytical mind helped her over many obstacles in life.

Maxie loved being a mother to Martha Imogene, Alma Sue, Velma Ruth, and Bascom Carl. She modeled the behavior for her children to emulate. She showed her kindness and caring through the loving way she sewed clothes for her family, sang songs as she prepared meals, and talked with her children about the important ways of being a good person. She never showed frustration or displeasure with her children. They knew that she expected good behavior and she gave them latitude to grow into their own person.
During school, Maxie loved learning about new ideas and places. She later used her knowledge of math to be book-keeper for Bascom's coal mining business. She read and studied maps of the mine to guide the air through and to test for strong supports, etc. The men taking the mining papers test relied on her to teach them. Some men could not read, so she read the questions and they answered orally, which was acceptable. She felt chagrinned when reprimanded for giving the miners, being tested, too much information. She looked for perfection in all aspects of her life.

Maxie won blue ribbons for matching pleats in plaid material. She did not do her work for others to admire or to be praised for it. She did it to please herself.Bascom Ray, her husband of forty-four years, depended on her for setting the pace for care of the family, and the future to expect for them. She aspired to have her children educated and to have a good life. Being part of a church community was important to Maxie and Bascom. He was a moving force in building the Baptist Church on Fletcher's Ridge. The community of church members offered their skills in providing land, lumber, bricks, and inspiration to see God's plan filled. Later, Maxie drove the children to church at Oakwood Presbyterian Church after some squabble in the home church. She continued with the Sinking Springs Presbyterian Church when they moved to Abingdon in 1959. After Bascom's death in 1982, she joined the Abingdon Baptist Church. She had a strong spiritual feeling when communing with God.

Maxie missed Gladys, her only sibling so much and would long to talk with her. When one reaches 93, a few friends are left. Maxie continuously collected friends of many ages.
We see Maxie's creative and artistic side in her quilts and other needlework. She liked to paint and did some sculpture. The Indian carving is a delight to all. She restored antique furniture and preserved these for future generations. Her canning and food preservation kept her family healthy and well-fed.

Maxie was delighted with her grandchildren: Christopher Todd Causey was born a little man and was nick-named, "The Judge."; Andrea Jean Ray Alessio had a flair for drama, as in dressing up in adult clothes and hiding in the clothes chute; Kimberly Ray Causey Coenen was noted as a fine organizer and cabbage patch lover; Jessica Anne Ray McCutcheon had a flair for dance and theatrics hanging from a tree limb with her flamboyant red hat; Brian Carl Ray had a lovable appreciation for good life through soccer, biking, and good jokes.

The two great-grandgirls were pleasing to Maxie because she loved seeing them dressed up and talking. Marissa Causey loved to use the mute on TV to nix bad talent, then in the silence she described objectionable parts. Little Audrey Coenen puts her purse over her arm and waddles her almost two-year-old feet toward the shopping mall, talking as she goes.

Pallbearers will be Brian Ray, Adam Alessio, Robert McCutcheon, David Coenen, Chris Causey, Roderick Dye, Dexter Ray, and Maxwell Presley. Honorary pall bearers will be the grandchildren of Lincous and Patsy Ray. Lincous, father-in-law to Maxie, let her know early that he admired and respected her as a good person. She, in turn, liked and respected him. They thought highly of each other their whole lives. He died in 1986. Everyone missed him.

As an honorarium and in lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Black's Fort DAR to honor the fine English heritage which Maxie gave her family. Send donations to Doris Wells, 16423 Cedar Creek Rd, Meadowview, VA 24361-2747.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, December 21, 2010 in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Dr. Steven Pollard officiating. Interment will follow in Knollkreg Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at Farris Funeral Service from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. Monday, December 20, 2010.