Sylvia Ray Obituary

Sylvia V. Ray
GRANITEVILLE, SC - Mrs. Sylvia V. Ray, wife of Henry Ray, of 189 Fioli Circle (Horse Creek Subdivision) went to be with the Lord on July 21, 2016 at Aiken Regional Medical Center.
Funeral services will be held 11 AM Friday, July 29, 2016 at Old Storm Branch Baptist Church (Viewing from 10 AM-11AM) with Reverend Martris Mims, Pastor, Reverend Mildred McKie, Presiding and Elder George Williamson, Eulogist. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Sylvia Williamson Ray was the second child born to Monroe Williamson and Marigene Williamson Washington. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Marcus Contrell Steele.
She joined Young Storm Branch Baptist Church in Warrenville, SC at an early age, and in 2002 she became a member of Restoration Ministries International, Augusta, GA.
She was educated in the public schools of Aiken County and graduated from Jefferson High School in Warrenville, SC in 1961. She attended Benedict College and received a Bachelors of Science degree in Secondary Education. She furthered her academic studies at South Carolina State University and Clemson University.
Sylvia's first teaching position was at Jefferson Elementary School. She also taught at Merriweather Elementary School, Edgefield SC, Leavelle McCampbell Middle School, Graniteville SC, LBC Middle School, Warrenville, SC, and A. Dorothy Hines Elementary School, Augusta, GA.
She was a tremendous inspiration to her students and encouraged them to work hard and fulfill their purpose in life. She was a teacher who cared about her students and didn't hesitate to give them a helping hand. Sylvia was happiest when she was helping others. Her face would light up every time she had an opportunity to do something special to help someone else!
Those who shared the joy of her life and will cherish her memory are: her devoted husband of 32 years, Henry Ray; one son, Michael Steele, Charlotte, NC; two daughters, Yolanda Steele, Graniteville, SC, and Natalia Cobb, Aiken, SC; 10 grandchildren; one brother, Elder George (Marian) Williamson, Pontiac, MI; three sisters, Jeanette Gethers of the home, Sylvia Satterwhite, Philadelphia, PA and Rosa Williams, Augusta, GA; one brother-in-law, Roger Williams, Norfolk, VA; three sisters-in-law, Barbara (Jimmy) Cave, Stephanie ( Jimmy) Blocker and Patricia Williams, Aiken, SC; two goddaughters, Laura Washington, Hinesville, GA and Deatra Childress, Dallas TX and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and loving friends.
The family will greet their friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 6-7 PM.
Friends may call the residence @ 803 508 1177 or her sister, Jeanette @ 808 285 2557 or JACKSON-BROOKS FUNERAL HOME, 126 Fairfield Street, SE, Aiken, SC 29801 @ 803 649 6123 beginning 3 PM Thursday.