Karen Jean (Wimbley) Ray

Mrs. Karen Jean (Wimbley) Ray, age 68 of Lillington, NC, entered eternal rest on Sunday, January 12, 2025, in Lillington, NC.

The Obituary

Karen Jean Wimbley Ray was born in Sanford, NC on December 6, 1956, to the late Willie and Rosa McMillian Wimbley. She departed this life on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at the age of 68.

She went to school in Sanford, but graduated from high school in Fort Pierce, FL. She joined the Air Force soon after. She was able to attend college at NC State University where she pursued a degree in political science. Her love of education did not stop here. Later she decided to switch her educational focus to early childhood education, where she received an Associate's Degree. 

Easter was her favorite holiday because she received Christ one Easter Sunday at a young age. This is where her journey of faith began, and she never looked back. She loved God with her whole heart. She had the type of faith that moved mountains. She spent many hours reading and studying her Bible. She even became a minister. She thought of everyone as God’s people, and she loved to help anyone in need. She liked to be called the "Bible Lady" because she wanted everyone to have a Bible. She would make that happen whether it was by selling bibles in her Bible Bookstore or by giving them away. She was a published author. She wrote and published a book; A New Study of the Holy Bible Suggests More Equality Among the Sexes. 

Karen’s greatest achievement was her family. She loved her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and spending time with them. She taught them the importance of knowing and trusting God through life’s ups and downs. She taught her children how to have faith, courage, and to never give up.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Cartray Ray; parents, Willie and Rosa Wimbley; younger sister, Pamela Jane Spruill; brother-in-law, Willie Spruill; and younger brother, Donald Wimbley.

She is survived by her children, Krissie (Dexter) McBride, Benjamin McNair, Wanda (John) McNair, Patrick McNair, and Kimberly (Jason) Garner; grandchildren, Antwon Williams (Angelika), Divon Corbin, Khalil McNair, Julius Corbin, Jaliyah McNair, Tyli McNair, Jakira McBride, Kiara Corbin, Kaleb McBride, Tamara McNair, Nehemiah Moore, Markell McNair, Ja’Cari Hill, JayShawn Garner, Jacobe McNair, Ishmael McBride, KahMari Garner, Ximere McNair, Nylah McNair, Zen McNair, Kyra Garner, and Elaina Morgan; bonus grandson, DeQuain McBride; great-grandchildren, Adonis, Adayah, Adalayuh, Ah' Meanuh, and Amunuh Williams, Harmonie, Melodie, and Symphonie Wingate, Kesiah and K’Aari Corbin, and Kahliyah Abdi; siblings, Willie Frederick Wimbley (Janis), Cora (Jackie) Owens, Sandra (Donald) Patterson, Griggs (Audrey) Wimbley, and Donna (Nathane) Hooker; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

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Professional services entrusted to Knotts Funeral Home-Sanford, NC