Virginia Smallwood Ray

Virginia Ann Smallwood Ray began living her best life with the Lord on October 12, 2026. She came into the world on March 13, 1937, on a snowy night in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. Even though Virginia was due any moment, her father had moved the car out of the garage the night of her birth, so he could keep one of their cows, also about to give birth, warm inside the garage, sheltered from the snow and cold. Her mother was worried, but thankfully the cold car started, and they made it to the hospital in time to have Virginia. The surviving child of Winnifred and Chester Smallwood, Virginia left her mark at Excelsior Springs High School, where she was a member of the marching band as a clarinetist, president of the Presbyterian youth group, and a 4-H leader. Recognized for her leadership and status as a top student in her high school class, Virginia traveled over 1,200 miles via bus from Excelsior Springs to Midtown Manhattan to be among the first to see the newly formed United Nations in New York City with other high school students from across the country.

Virginia would go on to pursue her bachelor’s degree in home economics education at the University of Missouri. During her senior year, Virginia completed her student teaching requirements in Moberly, Missouri. Her teaching career would begin in Marshall, Missouri and take her to Kansas City where she had a 30+ year career teaching at Center High School. Virginia looked forward to seeing her former students and learning of their achievements. She was particularly excited when she taught the children of past students and when she became the customer, patient, or client of a former student.

Virginia was married to Bob Ray, who she met at Mizzou, for almost 63 years. In 1968, while pregnant with Tom, Virginia returned to Columbia to complete her Master’s degree. David was born in 1974. In addition to parenting Tom and David, she also helped to raise her stepchildren, Lora and Rob.

During the late 1970s, Virginia became interested in ceramics where she worked with others in a friend’s basement making beautiful holiday figurines which are still treasured today. At the same time, Virginia and her family started camping, eventually including many family weekends camping and boating at the Lake of the Ozarks for over 20 years. Virginia’s interest in travel extended past city and state borders. She had an ongoing curiosity in visiting other parts of the world, and it became stronger after she and her family visited Europe in 1985.

With her children grown and retirement reached, Virginia increasingly traveled with Bob when he had a business trip that involved lengthy road trips, taking them coast to coast. As part of their adventures, Virginia and Bob cruised the Caribbean and Panama Canal. Virginia and Bob frequently chose side roads over the highway to reach their destination, because it was in small town America that they found the greatest joy during their journeys.

Virginia also had a passion for sports. An early season ticket holder for the Kansas City Chiefs, she rooted for Len Dawson and the earliest Chiefs’ teams. As coaches and players changed over the seasons, she became a fan of Tony Gonzalez, Patrick Mahomes, and Travis Kelce. Chief's games became an opportunity for gathering with friends with a focus on watching the game together, ensuring that big plays were not missed because of conversation. Virginia also loved the Kansas City Royals and Mizzou Tigers football and men’s basketball. Earlier this year, she became drawn to the World Cup, showing that a person is never too old to garner a new interest.

During the Covid pandemic, Virginia took on a new role as caregiver to Bob. His dementia added a new challenge for her that she grew to meet with patience, grace, and grit. And while her relationship with him continued to evolve as his health changed, Virginia’s commitment to the man she had loved since she was a young woman was the same. She was the anchor that dropped deeper as Bob’s diagnosis endured turbulent waters.

Virginia leaves behind her sons Tom, and David; her daughters-in-law Allie and Gennell; stepdaughter Lora; grandchildren Corbin, Tyler, Marshall, and Avery; step-granddaughters Nikki and Michelle; and, step great-grandsons Nicholas and Matthew. Virginia was preceded in death by her husband Bob; parents Winnifred and Chester and her little brother Freddy; stepson Rob; her brother-in-law Jim Vaughan; many friends; and, her beloved pets Stoney, Betsy, Sox, Megan, and Smythe.

A Visitation and Celebration of Life will be held at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131 on Monday, October 26, 2026. The Visitation begins at 1:30 PM, followed by the Celebration of Life at 2:30 PM, and a reception immediately afterward. The Celebration of Life will be livestreamed and can be viewed by clicking the link below under “Services.”

Virginia was active in charitable giving. To honor her philanthropic spirit that was made possible through her and Bob’s dedication to their careers and helping others, please send donations In lieu of flowers to the Robert and Virginia Ray Memorial Fund in care of YouthBridge Community Foundation: https://ybcf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=2881

Checks should be made payable to: YouthBridge Community Foundation, with Fund Name on the check memo line: Robert and Virginia Ray Memorial Fund. Please mail the check to: YouthBridge Community Foundation, 12977 North Forty Drive, Suite 368, St. Louis, MO 63141.

Contributions received will be added to the family’s gifts to health, children’s, and veterans organizations in Virginia’s and Bob’s memories.