Nancy V. Ray

Nancy Violette (Snavely) Ray passed away on Friday, November 22, 2024. She was born in the Rock Springs Community of Kingsport on January 10, 1941, and lived most of her adult life in Jacksonville, Arkansas before moving to Bluff City in 2010. 

Nancy most recently, before retirement, worked in the office at the Arkansas Patriot newspaper in Jacksonville, Arkansas. She was married to John M. “Pete” Ray in 1971, and they were married for 38 years before Pete’s passing in 2010. Nancy loved reading books of all subjects, enjoyed taking photos, and doing for others. 

Nancy was preceded in death by her husband, John M. “Pete” Ray; her father and mother, P.H. and Mary Watson Snavely; brothers, Henry Snavely, John Snavely, and Charlie Snavely; sisters, Catherine Browder and Mary Alice Snavely Griffin; brothers-in-law, Sam Spears and Tom Griffin; and sister-in-law, Barbara Snavely.

Surviving Nancy are her brother, Jim Snavely (Peggy), and her sister Ann Spears. sisters-in-law, Rosemarie Snavely and Emmalyn Snavely. Also left to cherish Nancy’s memory are a special niece, Tommie Jean Singleton, nieces Joyce, Faye, Barbara, Jane, Teressa, Cathy, and Susan; nephews Billy, Jimmy, Charles, Patrick, and Jamie. Several great and great-great nieces and nephews, and a great-great-great niece, as well as many cousins. She is also survived by extended family in Arkansas and beyond. 

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 2630 TN-75, Blountville, TN (across from the airport), with the Pastor Mike Owens officiating. There will be time to visit with family and friends after the service.

Nancy loved animals, and she and Pete had several fur babies during their lifetime, so in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite pet charity.