Maradelle Hooker Ray

Wagener – Mrs. Maradelle Hooker Ray, 91, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend entered into rest Tuesday, July 11, 2017. She was born on April 14, 1926, on Giddy Swamp in Aiken County, South Carolina to the late Elsie Rawls Rushton Hooker and the late Louis Hooker. She was the granddaughter of the late Mary Martin Rawls.  Mrs. Ray graduated from Wagener High School and from the Columbia School of Cosmetology. She owned and operated her own beauty shop in her home for over 50 years. She was a member of Convent Baptist Church where she served on various committees over the years. Mrs. Ray was a charter member of the Wagener Woman’s Club having served a term as President. She was a founding member of the Wagener Museum Committee and was a member of the Wagener Town Council for 14 years serving as Mayor Pro Tempore. She was named the Wagener Lions Club Citizen of the Year in 2001, and was presented a Certificate of Appreciation for her service to the community from the office of Governor Nikki Haley in 2013.

Mrs. Ray is survived by her daughter Donna Gardner (Mark) of Cayce, sons Terry Ray of Barnwell, and Don Ray (Kathy) of Blythewood, daughter-in-laws Sara Ray of Wagener and Debbie Ray Davis (Chad’s mother) of Thompson, GA; grandchildren Chad Ray (Kelli), Patrick Gardner (Sarah), Jason Gardner, Melissa Long (Chris), Stephen Ray (Kait), Stephanie Barnhill (Phillip), Grant Norris (Lori), Jesse Tetreault, and Jeremy Tetreault; great grandchildren Jackson Gardner, Lucas Ray, Ethan Ray, Owen Long, Turner Long, Owen Harrell, Michael Norris, Nathan Norris, Rebecca Norris, Allison Barnhill, and Rylan Barnhill; nieces Betty Jean Hutto Williamson (Belvin), Mary Hutto Fabrizio (Al); and nephews Tony Hutto (Clara) and Pat Hutto (Gloria). Mrs. Ray was preceded in death by her husband Lucas Ray, son Robert Louis Ray; grandson Bradley Harrison Ray; and sisters Lois Rushton Hutto, and Lizzie Rushton Hutto.

The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall of Convent Baptist Church, 787 Convent Church Road, Leesville (Fairview Community), SC 29070, on Saturday, July 15th from 2 to 3:30 pm. A service to celebrate the life of Mrs. Ray will begin at 4 pm in the sanctuary of Convent Baptist Church. Interment will follow in the Wagener Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Convent Baptist Church Mortgage Fund, 787 Convent Church Road, Leesville, SC 29070.

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