Velma Lucille Ray

Velma Lucille (Davis) Ray, 98, of Sioux City died Friday, Feb. 27, 2015, at Sunrise Retirement Community.

Services will be 10 a.m. Monday at St. James United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Ryan Christenson officiating. Assisting with the funeral will be Deacon Patricia Roberts. Burial will be in Graceland Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 9 a.m. until service time Monday at the church. Family members will be available to greet all friends and relatives at that time. Arrangements are under the direction of Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home.

Velma Lucille (Davis) Ray was born on Aug. 28, 1916, in Concordia, Kan., the daughter of Carl William Davis and Mary Louise (Lefort) Davis. As a young girl, the family moved to the Salix, Iowa, area where Velma received her education and met Wayne and his family.

Velma was united in marriage to Wayne Everett Ray on Nov. 24, 1937, at United Methodist Church in Salix. After their marriage, the couple moved to Sioux City. They celebrated 70 years of marriage prior to Wayne's death in March 2008. To this union a daughter, Judy, and a son, Denny, were born to bless her life.

Velma was a member of St. James United Methodist Church for approximately 60 plus years. She was an accomplished seamstress and spent years sewing professionally for her many customers. She also worked for Davenport Cleaners as a seamstress. Velma created quilts for family members and made countless quilts for the St. James United Methodist Women's Marian Circle to which she belonged for many years. Velma also sewed clothing for dolls which were distributed annually at the Salvation Army Christmas Party. She was a talented lady who shared her artistic skills with others. Velma quietly and unselfishly devoted her life to her family and others who came to know this lovely lady.

Survivors include a daughter and her husband, Judy Ann and Don L. Chesley of Moville, Iowa; a son and his wife, Dennis Michael and Judy Ray of Mesa, Ariz.; grandchildren and spouses, Gary and Susan Chesley and their daughter, Ann of Omaha, Nancy Chesley and her husband, Jed Hathaway of Ashburn, Va., and Jed's daughter, Kristin Flynn and her husband, Matt of Michigan, Joel and July Ray and their daughters, Hannah and Rachel, Julie and Billy Roberts and Billy's daughter, Megan, and Dwayne Ray and his fiancee, Julie Gunderson all of Arizona. Survivors also include a brother, Orville "John" Davis and his wife, Jeanne of Sergeant Bluff; and sisters-in-law, Julie Davis of Omaha, Marjorie Davis of Rochester, N.H., and Betty Davis of Stevinson, Calif.

The Davis and Ray families lived nearby as children in the Salix and Sloan areas. Wayne's siblings were very, very important to Velma. She will be missed by her sisters-in-law, Dorothy Foley of Omaha, Faye Ray of Kingsley, Iowa, and Bonnie Ray of Whiting, Iowa. Velma will also be fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews in both the Davis and Ray families and countless friends, neighbors and staff at Sunrise Retirement.

Preceding Velma in death were her parents; her husband, Wayne; a sister, Rozella and husband, John Hipsley; and seven brothers and their wives, William "Bill" and Dolly Davis, Harley "Paul" and Mary Davis, Ezra and Lillian Davis, Remmie and Avalon Davis, Henry Albert Davis, Leo Arthur Davis, and Obie Jerome Davis; and a sister-in-law, Sharon Davis.

Ray family relatives also preceding Velma in death were her in-laws, Marion and Mae Ray; and the siblings of Wayne who were, Maynard and wife, Jessie Ray, Don and wife, Lucille Ray, and Leland and wife, Florence Ray; brothers, Marvin (Dick) Ray and Wilbur (Bud) Ray; and sister, Edna "Toots" Curl and Floyd Curl.

Pallbearers will be Homer DeWitt, Robert (Beto) Gengler, John Graser, Dennis Henze, Wally Ostapoff and Daniel Ray. Honorary pallbearers are the wonderful staff members of Sunrise who watched over Velma and always provided love and attention along with professional service.

Sincere thanks to the staff of Sunrise Retirement Community. They have always exhibited the utmost in concern and their kindness to Velma has always been appreciated. They are truly angels who always look beyond the senior years and see the often lost personalities of those in their care.

Memorials may be directed to St. James United Methodist Church and Sunrise Retirement Community.