Virginia C. Ray

Virginia Carol Ray went home to be with the Lord on August 9, 2026. She was 89 years old. Virginia was born May 5, 1937 to Quinter T. and Mary (Shafer) Rennecker on the farm in Creston, Ohio. As a child, she was a 4-H member for six years, where she enjoyed sewing, a skill she carried into her adult life. She graduated from Norwayne High School in 1956, where she was in the concert band and was head majorette for the marching band. She married Harold E. Ray on September 8, 1957, and they were happily married 46 years before Harold’s passing on November 28, 2003. 

Virginia gave her life to Jesus at a very young age and together with Harold, was a life member of the Chippewa Church, where they served as deacon and deaconess for many years. As a young adult she worked as a bookkeeper for the Commissary Corp., and in later years was called to work at West View Retirement Manor (West View Healthy Living) where she was employed for 31 years. She was a prolific quilter, having learned the art from her own mother, grandmother and countless quilting companions. She created a myriad of quilts for family, friends, and unknown beneficiaries. Each of her quilts were known for her incredible, almost invisible stitching, and her ability to turn fabric scraps into works of art with dogged persistence, patience and skill. Her quilting also exemplified the life she lived - simple, practical, warm, and comforting, long-lasting and much appreciated. While quilts may fade away with time, her legacy will continue for generations of family among the many life lessons she handed down. Her grandchildren especially enjoyed spending time with her gardening, laughing and making strawberry jam- and she was a formidable croquet opponent. 

Virginia leaves behind her children, Robert Edwin (Loryn) Ray and Roberta Carol (Richard) Sorrell, six grandchildren: Abby, Ian and Andrew Ray, Lydia (Reuben) Henriquez, and Benjamin and Samuel Sorrell, and two great grandchildren, Lucia and Horatio Henriquez. Preceding her in death were her husband and parents, her sister Kathryn and brothers Maynard and Harold Rennecker.

Calling hours will be Thursday, August 27 from 5-7 p.m. at Murray Funeral Home in Creston. Funeral services will be Friday, August 28 at 11:00AM at Chippewa Church in Creston with interment following at Sherwood Memorial Gardens, Wooster. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts be made to Chippewa Church, 10230 Honey Town Road Creston, OH 44217 or to the National Audubon Society.