Orlena May Elkins Ray
(December 17, 1926 - November 4, 2010)

Orlena May Elkins Ray, widow of Bernard Eugene Ray of Mt. Juliet, TN formerly of Culloden, WV died in Nashville, TN November 4, 2010. She was born in Huntington, WV on December 17, 1926 the daughter of the late Chauncey S. and Alice M. Owens Elkins. She was also predeceased by two brothers Charles W. Elkins and Frederick Owens Elkins, her son-in-law Carl Dean, Jr., and a brother-in-law, Robert L. Ray and his wife, Bess. She is survived by her children, Linda Ray Dean of Milton, WV, Dale Eugene Ray of Columbus, OH and Diana Ray Bird and her husband Robert Bird of Mt. Juliet, TN, with who she made her home for the past six years, a beloved grandson, Justin Ray Dean of Huntington, WV, a step-granddaughter, Beth Sneed, three step-grandsons, and four great-grandsons. She also leaves four sisters Kathryn Messinger of Camano Island, WA, Mary A. Bowman (Orrin) of Honeoye Falls, NY, Wilma A. Yeager (Ed) of Proctorville, OH and Wanda G. Colegrove of Chillicothe, OH and two brothers Chauncey S. Elkins, Jr. (Pamela) of Ormond Beach, FL and Herbert Elkins (Harvalee) of Ona, WV.  A brother-in-law Johnny J. Ray (Joanne) of Boynton Beach, FL and Ruth Ann Spiaggi (Aldo) of Clarksburg, PA. She will be remembered also by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Orlena was a member of Norwood Free Methodist Church for over 50 years. She loved the Lord and her church and was devoted to her family. She loved to sing and continued to find joy in listening to hymns and gospel music even in her final weeks of illness. She will be sadly missed by her family who loved her but they are comforted by the blessed assurance that she is forever with the Lord. Funeral services will be conducted at Chapman's Mortuary on Monday, November 8 at 2:00 p.m. and led by Robert E. Ray, her nephew. The family will receive visitors on Sunday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Chapman's Mortuary, Huntington.