Opal Victoria Ray

Funeral services for Opal Victoria Ray, 87, of Lufkin will be held Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Bob Elliott and Brother Brady Owens officiating. Interment will follow in the Shofner Cemetery with Pastor Mark Livingston officiating.

Mrs. Ray was born November 3, 1923 in Van Zandt County, Texas to the late Lucy Mildred (Curry) and James Albert Stanbery, and died Wednesday, March 23, 2011 in a local nursing home.

Mrs. Ray had resided in Lufkin most of her life. She and her husband, J.C. Ray, founded Ray's Drive-In Cafe in 1959. She was a 50 year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Lufkin Chapter #382, and a member of Herty Baptist Church.

Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Billy and Freda Ray and Jerry and Lawana Ray, all of Lufkin; daughters, Glenda Lambot of Sterling, Connecticut; daughter and son-in-law, Evelyn and Bob Castleberry of Lufkin; grandchildren, Charles Thomas, Laurie Audette, Chris Ray, Calista Allen, Kendra Lindgren, Julia Novakosky, Bobby Castleberry, Nathan Ray and Kimberly McKee; 16 great-grandchildren; sister, MaNell McClain of Lufkin; brother, Bobby Stanbery of Lufkin; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Ray was preceded in death by her husband, J.C. Ray; brothers, S.B. Stanbery, A.J. Stanbery and Otis Stanbery; and sisters, Lovie Ellis and Betty Flurry.

Pallbearers will be Charles Thomas, Chris Ray, Nathan Ray, Bobby Castleberry, Austin Chambliss and Mason Redden.

Honorary pallbearers will be Mrs. Ray's great-grandsons.

Memorial contributions may be made to Herty Baptist Church, 2914 Atkinson Drive, Lufkin, Texas 75901.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.