Ruby, Ask and you shall receive Virginia Ballou Ray RAY WEST JEFFERSON -- Virginia Ballou Ray, 86, died Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2000, at the Ashe Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Ray was born June 1914, in Ashe County to Robert ''Bob'' and Jennie Maxwell Ballou. Her father, Robert ''Bob'' Ballou, was a local attorney and served as a North Carolina State Senator. Mrs. Ray was a member of Bethany United Methodist Church. The Rev. Lewis Poag will hold funeral services at 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18, 2000, at the Bethany United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends immediately following the graveside committal service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Bethany United Methodist Church, 495 N.C. Highway 194 N., West Jefferson, NC 28694. Mrs. Ray was preceded in death by her husband, Ward Ray, and is survived by several cousins. Badger Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Earl Elliott eelliott44@aol.com