Margaret Maxine Ray

Margaret M. Ray August 6, 1936 - February 18, 2022 Margaret Maxine Ray, age 85, passed away on Friday, February 18, 2022. Born in Burnsville NC, she was the daughter of the late Samuel Rathburn and Vernie Maney. She was also preceded in death by her husband Thomas Earl Ray and her 5 brothers and sisters - Glenn Rathburn, Ruth Ballard, Grace Hylemon, June Waldrup and Burl Rathburn. Margaret grew up on a working farm in the mountains of western North Carolina. She loved school where she also played piano and basketball. Shortly after high school, she moved to the Detroit, Michigan area where she raised her family. She held a number of roles in advertising sales, working for Time Life, Sports Illustrated, Discover magazine and Gannett Outdoor Advertising. In 1982, the Rays moved to the Washington DC area, where she continued her career in marketing and advertising, holding prominent roles with the Washington National Bank and a staff position for Senator John Glenn from Ohio. In 1989, Margaret and Tom moved to Christiansburg VA and opened the nationally-acclaimed Oaks Victorian Inn. Over the next 15 years, they were able to build onto their successful and popular Bed & Breakfast business, becoming a coveted overnight destination for business travelers, tourists and visiting parents of Virginia Tech and Radford college students. In 2004, they sold the business and retired to a quiet riverside property in Giles County. Margaret loved the arts, music and theatre. She was an accomplished, self-taught seamstress, cook, gardener and interior designer. In her retirement she remained very active in multiple organizations and donated her time generously to many local causes and charities. Margaret is survived by her daughter Melodie Kapolka (Michael), son Chris Ray, (Mary) and beloved grandson Nicholas Kapolka. She is also survived by her brother Earl Rathburn and many nieces and nephews. Services will be private. Margaret loved animals and artists. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Moss Arts Center in Blacksburg, or your local animal rescue. Expressions of condolences and love may be sent to www.mccoyfuneralhome.com. The family would also like to thank Colleen Light, Catherine Hauck, Ellen Harkrader and Diana Richardson for the exceptional care, love and compassion shown to Margaret and her family over the past several years.