Elbert Wray Farlow Jr.

Wray, who recently celebrated his 90th birthday, was born in High Point, N.C. on March 22, 1930 to the late Elbert Wray and Savannah Hillis Farlow, Sr. The family moved to Augusta, G.A., where Wray spent his childhood. He matriculated at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he and his sister, Sarah Jane, led cheering crowds to celebrate many Tar Heel football victories in the late 1940's. With the outbreak of the Korean War, Wray left college to serve his country honorably in the United States Army. After his discharge, he finished his college career at Chapel Hill, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. Some may still recall a ride on the charter bus Wray owned to attend a dance or UNC sporting event. There are many humorous stories from this era, which are still recounted by many! After graduation, Wray moved to New York City, where he began a long and storied career in the Women's garment industry. He enjoyed the early years of his career working with the Tanners and their company, based in Rutherfordton, N.C. While Wray was working in New York City, he met Jacqueline Bright Mapp. They were married in Manhattan at the Brick Church on June 26, 1961. Over their 58 years of marriage, Wray was heard many times repeating his mantra that "Marrying Jackie is the best thing I've ever done in my life". This is truly an undisputed fact that has never been challenged. After arrival of Elbert Wray, III and Ashley Bright, the family moved to Greensboro, where the children were joined by a sister, Savannah Wilkins. For many years, Wray commuted from his home in New York City. He became known to many of the finest ladies' fashion shops between Georgia and New York, all the way over to the Chicago area. Wray's clients were genuinely his friends. Always an entrepreneur, he manufactured his own lines of sweaters, dresses, and garment bags. He owned several successful ladies clothing stores in Lake Michigan-area resorts, like "The Depot" in Harbor Springs, Michigan, Greensboro's "Fig Leaf", along with others over the years in Hilton Head and Winston-Salem. Wray was a wonderful provider for his family. He loved his children dearly and provided great counsel to them and their friends. He always saw the main truth of an issue, which made him such a wonderful judge - though he was never judgmental. Wray's three children were among the first to attend Greensboro Day School. He afforded each of them the opportunity to attend boarding schools for their high school years. Both Ashley and Savannah graduated from St. Catherine's, while Wray III went to Episcopal High School. All of Wray's children followed him to the University of North Carolina. Over the years, Wray and Jackie hosted many events at their home on Country Club Drive. Among these, was the annual Ward-Farlow party, an annual Christmas gathering of families that continues to this day. Wray loved the game of golf, enjoying his regular Saturday golf game at the Greensboro Country Club with his life-long friends. He also was an accomplished "doubles" tennis player. He loved taking the kids and their friends to many skiing trips to Sugar Mountain, when they were all young, and especially in later years at the Figure-Eight Island beach house, "The 5 crabs", where he loved entertaining friends, family, and grandchildren over the years. Regardless of the audience, or the venue, Wray CELEBRATED life! He shared a repertoire of jokes that seemed to improve with every re-telling somehow, and at quieter times he could recite ballads that could bring tears to those same eyes. He was a captivating story-teller. He was a memorable personality who was loved by many friends and his family. For Wray, III, it is an honor to be his namesake, as it is for his grandson as well. A celebration in memory of Wray’s life will be held on Friday, May 7, 2021 at 2:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church in Greensboro. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, for those unable to attend, the service will be live-streamed and recorded through the church’s link at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jpUuqMuQh4.