Gail Holland Ray

Hartsville, SC

    The family of Gail Holland Ray are saddened to announce the death of their beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Gail went home to be with The Lord on Saturday evening, July 26th, 2025, at the age of 81.

    Gail was born March 18th, 1944, in Darlington County. She was blessed with many talents and known for her kind and gentle spirit. She spread her kindness at the Saleeby Center in Hartsville, working with the disabled children. She later went on to obtain her cosmetologist license and was employed with the Clorester Resort in St. Simons, GA. It was during this time that she met and married her soulmate, Billy Ray.

    She is survived by her 4 children, Yancey (Stephanie) Stokes, Karen (Jeff) Moore, Mendall (Alana) Stokes, and Wendy (Steve) Moore; 14 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and a special friend, William Jesse Johnson.

    She was preceded in death by her mother, Aleene Holland and her 3 grandchildren, Hyatt Stokes, Stacy Stokes, and Skyler Stokes.

    A private, family service will be held to honor her memory.

    The family would like to honor her memory with the following prayer:

    Lord, we are so thankful for you. Thank you, Jesus, for making a way for us to be with you forever. Thank you that while we grieve the death of our loved one that we don’t have to grieve the way the world grieves because of the precious hope that we have in you. A hope that never perishes or fades. We are so thankful that in our grief, we can rejoice knowing that she is at home with you. There is such a comfort knowing that as she closed her eyes this side of Heaven, she opened her eyes in eternity to see the face of her Savior that she loves. We k now that she is now healed, whole, and a peace with you forever. Thank you for the Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother that she was, and the love she had for you that was evident in all that she did. Lord be with us in this time and give us the peace of your presence. I pray that you would draw us near, and that your love would be so palpable as we gather together, honoring her life. Father, we love you and we praise you. You deserve all the glory, honor, and praise. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

     Norton Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to be with Mrs. Ray's family during this time.