Cynthia Rachael Cox Ray Preston

A celebration of her life will be held at Hanes-Lineberry, North Elm Street Chapel, on Saturday, March 31 at 2:00 p.m with visitation at 1:00 p.m. The service will be led by Rachael’s son, Rev. Rick Ray. Interment will follow at Guilford Memorial Park, Greensboro.

Her passion was music. She was pianist at a number of churches since childhood. She was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, where she was pianist until her health failed.

Rachael was born in Guilford County on September 12, 1924 to Harvey Cox and Myrtle Holt Cox.

Rachael was fortunate enough to have shared her life with two wonderful men. Herman Ray was her husband for 53 years, until his death in 1996. M. L. Preston was her husband of eight years until his death in 2006.

Immediate survivors are her three children and their spouses: Janice and Robert Kirkman, Rick and Rosa Ray, and Robin and Ben Jones; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren; sister, Ferle Hensley.

She is also survived by three step sons and their spouses: Charles and Tina Preston, David and Susan Preston, and Alan and Brenda Preston; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husbands, she was preceded in death by two sons, Larry and Steven Ray; sister, Douglas Wilson; and brother, Grant Cox.

The family wishes to thank Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro for their exceptional care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 3812 Groometown Road, Greensboro, NC 27407; Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27405; or to the charity of one’s choice.