Willie Mae Gay

Willie was born on February 27, 1937, in Archer Lodge, NC to Henry and Thelma Johnson. After her legendary days playing basketball at Corinth Holder High School, she attended college at the Women’s College of NC, now known as UNC Greensboro. While a contestant in a beauty pageant she met the love of her life, Ross Gay. They married in 1957, and spent most of their lives in Richmond, Virginia. Though Willie touched thousands of lives playing golf, bridge, volunteering for various political campaigns and and countless swim meets, the lives most important to her were her children’s and grandchildren’s.

Willie was predeceased by her parents, her brother Charles, and her husband Ross. She leaves behind her daughters Leigh Anne Schuler (Mike) of Cudjoe Key, Florida, and her daughter Ginger Sluder (Jeff) of Raleigh, NC. She is also survived by two grandchildren, Jason and Helen Sluder.

Family, friends and others whose lives Willie touched are invited to the Salisbury Presbyterian Church, 13621 W Salisbury Rd, Midlothian, VA 23113 at 1:30 PM on Thursday, August 22, 2024 and are welcomed afterwards back at her home to reminisce, grieve, support each other and, of course, just chat.