Ada Byrd Wray

WRAY, Ada B., 99, of Richmond, whose life motto was "Looking Forward," met her God as she joined Him on February 10, 2010 from Henrico Doctors' Hospital, following declining health. She was born on November 9, 1910 to parents, John Steven Melton and Ida Marshall Melton, and was one of eight siblings, now all deceased. Ada was preceded in death by husbands, Lester F. Williams, Lewis I. Byrd, Herbert G. Phillips and George S. Wray. She is survived by her daughter, Kate B. Highfill and husband, C. Page Highfill; stepdaughter, Joan W. McCoy and husband, Jimmy McCoy; grandchildren, Scott Highfill and wife, Cindi, Marc Highfill and wife, Sharon, Ann Page Shope and husband, Rob, Katie McKay and husband, Bruce; great-grandchildren, Bryan, Holly and Sean Highfill, Austin, Matthew and Riley Highfill, Davis and Sydney Buheller, and Clare Copeland; and blended family great-grandchildren, Kyle and Jake Shope and Brooke, Rebekah and Olivia McKay. She is also survived by John B. Bourne of University Park, Maryland, a dear friend of hers and her late husband, George S. Wray.

Ada went to work early in her life at Philip Morris to help her large family meet expenses. She had a true independent zest for her job, her co-workers and life, and when she was forced to take mandatory 65-year-old retirement, she shifted her full time focus on her growing family. She continued to look forward with and through her family, including her four grandchildren and her 14 great-grandchildren. One of her great-grandchildren described Ada, who is known as Nanny to her family, as making the gray skies turn blue. Another great-grandchild remembers her as always looking out for other people; and another is reminded by Nanny's presence as the warmth of sunshine.

A grandson remembered her younger days, when she wore more fancy hats than anyone he knew. Another grandson remembers Nanny and George sitting on the sidewalk brick wall with them at Myrtle Beach family vacations, watching the girls and boys pass by. A granddaughter remembers the grand dinners of leg of lamb, mint jelly, shrimp cocktail, homemade rolls and more, she prepared for her growing family for many years. Another granddaughter said, "I will always remember Nanny taking us young teenagers shopping at Regency Square Mall. The trip was as much fun as the shopping. We would ride very fast, I might add, with the windows down, car bobbing up and down to the hard rock radio station XL 102. Nanny was having a great time with her hair blowing and her one per day cigarette in her hand. I don't remember too much about the shopping," the granddaughter said, "just the trip there!" All of her family and friends remember her even in her late 80s, responding to one of us asking, "How are you doing today, Nanny?" She replied, "If I felt any better, I would have to charge you admission."

A celebration of her life viewing for family and friends will be held at the Woody Funeral Home Parham Chapel, 1771 N. Parham Rd. from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 16, 2010. Celebration life funeral services, officiated by Rev. Dr. Paul Burkwall, will be held there on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 11 a.m. with interment following at Westhampton Memorial Park. Condolences may be offered at www.woodyfuneralhomeparham.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Media Ministry at First Baptist Church, 2709 Monument Ave., Richmond, Va. 23220, or to Bon Secours Hospice, 8580 Magellan Pkwy., Richmond, Va. 23227, both enabling and supporting others to continue, even as Ada did throughout her long full fife, of - "Looking Forward."