Luther Benton Wray

Luther Benton Wray Sr. of Callaway, died peacefully at age 89 on October 5, 2011 at a local nursing home after a brief illness. Luther was born to the late Charles and Bessie Wray on November 23, 1921 in Callaway. He married Kathleen Bowman in 1941, and he built them a house in the Monte Vista Community where they lived together until the past few years before Kathleen’s death in March 2011. Luther spent his life farming. The quality apples he grew were known throughout Franklin County and beyond. After the harvest every fall, he especially enjoyed making apple butter with his family. He also raised chickens and beef cattle, and was an avid gardener with a green thumb. He grew some of the best vegetables and fruits in the area, and he was always willing to share them with family, friends and community. Luther was an active lifelong member of Monte Vista Church of the Brethren. He and Kathleen were leaders of the youth group there for many years. They took the youth on excursions including roller skating, hiking to the Peaks of Otter, and to Philpott Lake. He was an avid water skier himself, and he helped teach many young people to ski and enjoy nature. Luther loved to travel, and he and Kathleen took many trips in their motor home visiting every state in the U.S. He was devoted to his family and he always had a joke, a tease, and a smile to share. He was a wonderful example of a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Kathleen Bowman Wray; and his sisters Evelyn Hodges, Grace Hodges, and Myrtle Webster. Surviving are his sons and daughters-in-law, Benton and Diane, Alvin and Linda of Callaway, Va., and Paul and Christie of Roanoke, Va.; grandchildren Sheri Wood (Dale), Heather Simon (John), Lindsey, Luke, Julia, Hannah, and Thomas Wray; great-grandchildren Leah and Riley Wood, Tucker Simon and Kendall Simon. Other survivors include sisters Blanche Webster of Callaway, Helen Maro of Moneta; brother-in-law Marvin Webster of Greenfield, Ind. and numerous nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank family, friends and neighbors, as well as the faithful and loving members of Monte Vista Church of the Brethren for their care, support, and friendship throughout his life, as well as the visits, cards, and prayers while he was in assisted living the past few years. They meant the world to him and to his family. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 pm Friday, October 7 at Conner-Bowman Funeral Home. Memorial gifts in his honor may be made to Monte Vista Church of the Brethren, 25 Wades Gap Road, Callaway, VA 24067. Funeral services will be conducted from Monte Vista Church of the Brethren at 1 pm on Saturday, October 8, 2011 with Pastor Jimmy Robinson officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Funeral arrangements by Conner-Bowman Funeral Home & Crematory, Route 220 at Wirtz Road, Rocky Mount, Virginia. 540- 334-5151.