09/15/2025
Jane Hain Ray, beloved wife, mother, and “Nana,” died on September 14, 2025, at the age of 98. Born in Selma, Alabama, Jane was the daughter of Jesse Hardy Hain and Anne Foster Hain of Sardis, where she spent her childhood. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Lakin Ray, following 67 years of marriage, and a daughter, Lakin Ray Cook. Jane is survived by her other daughters, Anne Ray Silbernagel and Jane Ray Halpin (Steve); son-in-law, Thomas Stephenson Cook; five grandchildren: Frederick Lawrence Silbernagel IV (Lindsay), John Lakin Ray Silbernagel (Ashley), Andrew Riggin Silbernagel (Julia), Stephen Robert Halpin III (Kathleen), and Catherine Halpin Stephens (Eric); and eight great grandchildren: Emmarilla Jane Silbernagel, Frederick Lawrence Silbernagel V, John Nicholas Silbernagel, Madeline Ray Silbernagel, Henry Riggin Silbernagel, Lily Ray Silbernagel, Stephen Robert Halpin IV, and Charlotte Jane Stephens.
Jane attended Hollins College for one year and graduated from the University of Alabama in 1949, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. Jane married John Lakin Ray in 1951; they lived in Charlottesville, Virginia, for John’s final year of law school, after which they made their home in Charleston, W.Va., and raised three daughters. Even though Jane was not a native of Charleston, she willingly embraced her new “life in the north” and, in addition to bringing up those three daughters, wove a unique tapestry of service, friendships, and philanthropy here for over 70 years.
Jane was an active volunteer of the Briar Hills Garden Club, the Junior League of Charleston, and the Kings Daughters group, which sewed infant clothing for needy mothers. She also served as a docent for the original Sunrise Museum in South Hills. Jane was a member of the National Society of Colonial Dames for over 50 years, where she held many positions, including Corresponding Secretary, Patriotic Service Chairman, Historical Activities Chairman, and the WV delegate, “Lady of Dumbarton,” for 4 years. In 2006, she was named to the Roll of Honor. One of Jane’s greatest delights was doing the needle-point depiction of the State of West Virginia, which hangs in the national Dames Headquarters of Dumbarton House in Washington, D.C.
Jane was a member of Christ Church United Methodist, where she again contributed her needle-point talents. In the early 1980’s, 23 women of Christ Church labored to create 21 kneeling cushions, illustrating the life of Christ in symbols. The cushions were to surround the communion rails of the Sanctuary, and are still used today. Jane was solely responsible for one cushion (staff and torch), as well as aiding with many others. She was an accomplished seamstress, sewing curtains and bedspreads for the home early in her marriage and one-of-a-kind clothing for her daughters and herself in later years, not to mention a myriad of ballet recital and Halloween costumes.
Along with John, Jane was a loyal patron of the Kanawha County Public Library and the Arts in Charleston, in particular the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra and the Clay Center for the Arts. Jane was an active participant of the Charleston Alumni group of Kappa Kappa Gamma sisters, recently receiving her 50-year pin. She enjoyed playing Bridge, and belonged to several friend groups over the years.
Although Jane was raised in the South at a time when girls weren’t encouraged to play sports, she was a proficient swimmer and could execute certain dives quite well. She played the xylophone as a young girl and studied ballet for many years. Along with John, she taught her children (and grandchildren) the art of body surfing in the ocean during many family vacations at Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head. A rumor has surfaced that Jane once modeled swimsuits for Peck’s clothing store… A long-time member of the Edgewood Country Club, Jane took up tennis while living in Charleston, tried golf and left it to John, though she always supported his passion for it. She sat through many CCUM girls’ basketball games, and often performed a double-dinner shift to feed everyone in the family through the activities. Jane was a fierce patriot of her Alabama Crimson Tide. She rarely missed watching the games and was always “in the know” about the players.
Jane loved travel and she and John and the girls took many trips throughout the U.S. and Europe in addition to the beach vacations. She and John toured Alaska, the Panama Canal, Costa Rica, and parts of the Mediterranean on their own, and often went up to New York City for Broadway shows.
The family wishes to thank Conya Huffman, Jacqueline Brandon, and the caregivers at Hubbard Hospice House for their care and kindness to Jane.
A Funeral Service will be held at Christ Church United Methodist on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park in South Charleston. Snodgrass Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kanawha County Public Library (https://www.kcpls.org/about/support-the-library/donate) or the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (https://wvsymphony.my.salesforce-sites.com/donate/?dfId=a0n1G00000O2Zl2QAF&) .
Memories of Jane may be shared by visiting http://snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary.
