Norman Ray

Norman Elwood Ray, 89, of Burlington passed peacefully from this earth to his heavenly home on Saturday, December 3, 2011 after a short illness. Elwood was a loyal husband, loving father, and a faithful servant of God. He had a contagious personality and fun sense of humor that attracted wonderful friends. He was born in Alamance County to the late Jesse Clarence and Lillian Rice Ray and was married for 64 years to Evelyn Underwood Ray who survives. He retired from Tower Mills and was a member of the Bula Masonic Lodge #409. Elwood was a member of First Presbyterian Church and a former member of Northside Presbyterian Church where he had served as Elder and Sunday School Superintendent. He was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII serving in the European Theatre under the 494th Division, Company C, 12th Armored Field Artillery Division. He is survived by his wife of the home, daughters, Carol Mitchell, and husband Michael of Poquoson, VA, Cathy Preiss, and husband, Richard of Charlotte and Beth Wertz, and husband Larry of Burlington; seven grandchildren, David Mitchell and wife Lisa, Jeffrey Mitchell and wife Georgia, Catherine Wertz, Lauren Wertz, Emily Wertz, Jordan Preiss and Joshua Preiss, and a sister, Doris Nikitin of Burlington. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Nell Peele and Irene York, and brothers, Ralph, Joe and George Ray. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel officiated by Rev. Dr. Ron Shive. The family will have a private burial service at Shiloh Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:45 to 1:45 prior to the service at the funeral home. The family would like to thank the caring staff at Edgewood Place and Hospice Home. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Elwood's name to Hospice and Palliative Care of Alamance-Caswell, 914 Chapel Hill Rd., Burlington, NC 27215.