Larene Ray

Obituary of Larene Martin Ray

Larene Martin Ray passed away suddenly, but peacefully, in her home on Saturday, September 25, 2021. Born Saturday, July 6, 1946, in Pittsburg, PA, she was the daughter of the late Mida Jean Diamond Martin and Arlie Mellon Martin. Her family moved to Charlotte shortly thereafter where she built a beautiful life and community.

 

Larene attended North Mecklenburg High School (1964) and Winthrop University (1968) where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. Larene taught Kindergarten for 30 years in the Charlotte Mecklenburg School District - the majority at Starmount Elementary. After retirement, Larene taught T-K at First Presbyterian Church for 15 more years before officially leaving education to help care for her first grandchild, Sterling.

 

Larene had the most kind, pure and generous spirit imaginable. She spread joy wherever she was and would light up a room with her laughter. She was an incredibly talented and devoted teacher who positively impacted countless lives. Larene loved her family immensely and unconditionally and that love was felt every minute of every day. Larene enjoyed travel, exercise, music, dancing, reading and visiting with her family and friends. Her favorite place was the beach, where she rode her boogie board well into her seventies. She was always full of energy and ready for the next adventure.

 

Larene is survived by her husband, Larry Isaac Ray; sons: James Benjamin "Ben" Royster and Samuel Martin "Sam" Royster and his wife, Kelly Nicholas Karres; daughter, Amanda Larene Allen and her husband, Matthew Christopher "Matt" Allen; grandchildren: Sterling Elizabeth Royster, Porter Woodson Allen and Louisa Caroline Allen; brother, Joseph Mellon "Joe" Martin and his wife, Becky Martin; numerous nieces, nephews and loving family and friends.

 

A Celebration of Larene's Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 2, 2021 at Bethel Weslyan Church, 4036 Old Salisbury-Concord Road Kannapolis, NC 28083 with a visitation to follow in the Fellowship Hall.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation in her honor to The Amyloidosis Foundation: https://amyloidosis.org/

 

Feel free to leave the family your condolences via the Tribute Wall provided.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Larene Ray, please visit Tribute Store
A Memorial Tree was planted for Larene
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Hankins and Whittington Funeral Services
Share Your Memory of
Larene