Virginia Lee Ray Millard
January 10, 1920 ~ November 11, 2012
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Virginia Lee Ray "Bird" Millard, 92, of Asheville, died on Sunday, November 11, 2012, at Flesher's Fairview Healthcare Center.
A native of Haywood Co., Mrs. Millard was a daughter of the late Thomas Roland and Anna Dee Birchfield Ray. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Arthur Millard, Sr.; children Selina Dale Millard and Cynthia Dianne Millard Taylor; and siblings Ruby Warren, Catherine Ammons, Bobbi Campbell, Joyce Warren, Jane Ray, and Tommy Ray.
Mrs. Millard worked for the American Enka Corp. for 23 years. She previously attended Sand Hill Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir and taught Sunday School. Most recently she was a member of Oakley Baptist Church, where she taught the Golden Circle Sunday School class, and led the prayer warrior team.
Mrs. Millard is survived by her daughter Virginia Sue Banks, of Asheville; son Thomas A. Millard, Jr. and his wife, Patricia, of Virginia; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; sisters Gladys Davis of SC, and Geraldine Holland of New Bern, NC; brothers Bud Ray and Charles Ray, both of Canton, and Jerry Ray of Waynesville; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral service for Mrs. Millard will be at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday in the Patton Ave. chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Rev. Tom Pierce officiating. Interment will follow at Pisgah View Memorial Park.
Her family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Employee Appreciation Fund, at Fleshers Fairview Healthcare Center, 3016 Cane Creek Rd., P.O. Box 1160, Fairview, NC 28730.
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Tommy, Pat & family, so sorry to hear of the passing of your loved one. Though we all know its coming in our family, we are never quite prepared for it. But we also know that GOD has the most perfect plan for us all, and if we will just let HIM lead, and follow HIM, we will make it thru. No words can express my thoughts, except, you all are in our prayers & remembering you in prayer. Can’t physically be there with you, but just know that we care. Thank the whole family for being our Christian friends, and being with us in prayer when its been needed the most. May each of you find joy & knowing she served Christ in her teachings & draw closer than ever before. Love & prayers to you all.
Don & Debbie Pruett
SORRY ABOUT VIRGINA’S PASSING. MY MOTHER, NELLIE PRESLEY WORKED WITH HER AND BECAME VERY BEST FRIENDS. NELLIE LOVED HER!! SHE WAS ONE OF THE SWEETEST PERSONS I KNOW! NELLIE ALSO PASSED IN MAY OF 2010.
PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS TO HER FAMILY.
DORIS.
May God comfort you as only He can. Love and Prayers The daughters of Julia Sorrells, Frances, Anna Lee & Betty Sue
To Mrs. Millard’s family, my deepest condolences. May you find comfort in family, friends and good memories at this time. Look forward to the future when tears, death and pain will be no more. -Rev. 21:3-4
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. I have fond memories of Aunt Birdie and will always remember her sweet smile and gentle disposition. Please keep Mother (Geraldine) in your prayers. She is completely bedbound with very little communication. I choose not to tell her of Birdie’s passing for in due time she will be rejoined with her loved ones. We are not able to make a trip at this time so please forgive us for not being at the service. Love to all….Kim Holland Thorn
Tommy,Sue,and family may God bless
and comfort you at this sad time. I
always love to see the birthday cards and Christmas cards she sent my dad(Charles) each year.She was a beautiful and thoughtful lady.My love to all of your families.
We are so sorry for the loss of Bird. Many wonderful memories of her and all the family at Mamaw and Papaw Ray’s. May the Lord Bless each of you during this time and give you all comfort for the days ahead. Dad and Mom are both in declining health but Please know our prayers are with you, Kellie, Jerry and Phyllis Ray
May hearts be touched and even won to the Kingdom of God because of Bird’s life and even thru her death may God be honored as people remember the lady she was. May the legacy Bird left behind be a light to her children and all those who loved her. Our deepest sympathy and prayers are with you all.
I am so sorry for your loss of such a great woman, Bird. Fond memories of her & her family at family gatherings at mamaw & papaw Rays over the summers were great! We had a blast eating the good food and seeing all of the smiling faces. I pray that God will help you during this difficult time. Our thoughts & prayers are with each one of you. It is not easy-to say the least-but you have all the memories to cherish forever! She does not have to suffer anymore! May God bless you! Please keep in touch.
Randy,Chuck,Tammy & Charles Warren
We are so sorry to hear about your mother.Our pryers are with you and Pat and your family.
I’m so sorry for the loss of a sweet and dear lady she had been thru so much but never the less keep on going Tommy you and Sue are in my thoughts at this trying time be glad you had her in your lives as long as you did
I’m so sorry for the loss of a sweet and dear lady she had been thru so much but never the less keep on going Tommy you and Sue are in my thoughts at this trying time be glad you had her in your lives as long as you did
My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time. Rarely have I met such a warm, caring and loving family. I feel honored to have been blessed to have known Mrs. Virginia, her family and friends. I know she has gone ‘away, away’ to a much better place, she will be missed.
I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the family. Bird was always a precious person and a role model for me. I will always remember her christian values and how she would always share her love for the lord she will be missed by all friends and family.
Best Regards TR Brown