Mary Nottingham-Ray 

was born to the late Aaron and Emma Nottingham, Sr. of Birdsnest, Virginia. She departed this life May 11, 2018 at 1:45 p.m. at home. 

She attended the public school of Eastville, Virginia and later married Lawrence William Ray and from that union eight children were born. 

She worked at Cape Center (Sting-Rays) for 56 years as cook, which loved tremendously (even more than she loved shopping). 

She was predeceased by her husband, Lawrence Ray; sister, Ellen Johnson; two brothers, George Nottingham and Aaron Nottingham, Jr.; and two stepdaughters, Ethel Ray and Lillian Ray-Singleton. 

She leaves to cherish her memory: her eight children, Annette Ray-Hollis, Johnny Ray, Tearesa Ray, Lawrence Ray, all of New Jersey, Gloria Ray-Williams of North Carolina, Brenda Ray of Virginia, Levern Ray of Georgia, and Jeffrey (Ricky) Ray of Florida: a stepdaughter, Mary Ray Nottingham; four brothers, Freddy, Quinton, Joseph, and James Nottingham; her 9th child , grandson, Thomas Hollis, III; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren; one aunt, Hattie Collins of New York; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.