Ray A. Nash

Bluefield, VA – Mr. Ray A. Nash age 87 of 209 Parkview Drive Bluefield, VA died Wednesday March 4, 2015 at a Bluefield hospital. Ray was born July 7, 1927 in Bluefield, VA a son of the late George Rhea Nash and Isabella Brown Nash. He was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran and a retired salesman with Betsy Ross Bakery / Flowers Bakery after 36 years of service. After his retirement he worked for Cole Chevrolet. Ray was a lifetime member of Virginia Avenue United Methodist Church, where he volunteered in caring for the church grounds, served as an usher and assistant Boy Scout Troop leader. Ray loved sports, played football and basketball for Graham High School, and was an avid gardener. He was known as “Cool Ray” as he drove Terri and the other cheerleaders to their events. His grandsons were his life, and he never missed their sporting events. He enjoyed making toys for his grandchildren, and his time fishing at Falls Mills Fishing Club. In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by a son Timothy Allen Nash and a brother Alvin C. Nash. Ray is survived by his wife of 57 years Barbara Smith Nash of the home, a daughter Terri Nash Cole and husband Charlie of Bluefield, VA brothers Jack B. Nash of Inverness, FL and Paul S. Nash and wife June of Hernando, FL, grandchildren Charles McHugh “Chaz” Cole of Bluefield, WV, William Alexander “Will” Cole of Wytheville, VA, Cameron Nash Cole and Christian Smith Cole both of Bluefield, VA. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday March 7, 2015 at Mercer Funeral Home Chapel at 11:00 a.m. with Dr. Kenneth Sprinkle and Rev. Larry Ramey officiating. Entombment will follow at Grandview Memory Gardens Cemetery in Bluefield, VA. Serving as pallbearers will be his grandchildren, Will Cole, Chaz Cole, Cameron Cole, Christian Cole, and nephews Steve Nash and Brian Kidd. Honorary Pallbearers will be Joe Johnson, Don Darlington, John O’Neal and Gary Williams, Vernon Altizer, and Dara Harman. The family will receive friends at Mercer Funeral Home Friday March 6, 2015 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Carlock – Pruett Scholarship Foundation c/o Graham High School 210 Valley Dale Street Bluefield, VA 24605. Those wishing to share memories or condolences may do so by visiting www.mercerfuneralhome.com Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory of Bluefield is serving is serving the family of Ray A. Nash.

Ray A. Nash

July 7, 1927 - March 4, 2015