Glenda May Ray

Glenda May Payne Ray of Springfield, Virginia was raised in Annandale, Virginia and was part of the first graduating class of W.T. Woodson High School. A fan of Elvis and lover of anything with peanut butter, Glenda liked to be the life and soul of any gathering. She had no trouble joining a conversation or showing off her dance moves. When she wasn’t lighting up the room, she was a supportive mother and grandmother to not only members of her family, but anyone who needed her child rearing help.

A lover of fast, beautiful cars, Glenda could be seen zipping up and down the road in her Trans Am in the ‘80s and more recently, her 2014 Red Mustang. She even let her boyfriend, later to become husband, James, drag race her first car: a Chevrolet Impala. Glenda and James enjoyed a 57 year marriage that created four children and 5 grandchildren.

Glenda also enjoyed the simpler things in life. She raised her children and tended to the family household. She always looked forward to the many family gatherings, especially Christmas Eve, the biggest yearly family celebration, but loved to contribute her cooking and baking to them all. Her favorite color was red, which she would declare immediately when asked, and it was reflected in many of her possessions, including some of her beloved cars.

In her later years, she really enjoyed going out to lunch or dinner with family or just with James. She continued to make trips to Williamsburg, VA, a favorite vacation destination, enjoyed stays at the Red Fox Inn in Middleburg, VA and would make several trips to Stephens City, VA to go to the drive-in movie theater that reminded her of the "good old days."

Glenda left an impression wherever she went in life. We will miss being in her presence, but are left with a lifetime of lasting memories.

Glenda is predeceased by her father, Garnet Russell Payne and mother, Fern May Fairfax Payne. She is survived by her husband, James E Ray, daughters, Wesalena May Hudak (John), Teresa Marie Longerbeam (Porter) Toy Rosemary Falcone (Samuel), son, Christopher James Ray (Kayse), 5 Grandchildren, Ashley Hudak, Faith Hudak, Amber Longerbeam, Zachary Longerbeam, Samuel Falcone and brother, Curtis Russell Payne, as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

A gathering of family and friends will be held 2:00-4:00 PM on Saturday, November 25, 2023 at the Demaine Funeral Home on Main Street in Fairfax.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.