Verna Jane Ray McLamb, age 86, of R W McLamb Dr., passed away Sunday, July 18, 2021 at her residence, surrounded by her family. She was born on June 8, 1935, in Elizabethton, TN to the late Paul and Virginia Josephine Kelly Ray.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ransom Wade McLamb; three brothers, David, Kelly, and Eddie Ray; brother-in-law, Paul Rhyne.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Rhonda Hodge, Cyndi Hyleman (Duane), Wade McLamb Jr., Melissa Miller; daughter in love, Wendi McLamb; stepchildren, Kenny McLamb (Lynne), and Susan Sanford (Ray); brother, Douglas Ray (Judy); sister, Linda Rhyne; sister-in-law, Betty Ray; step-siblings, Ricky Williams (Ramona), Kathy Payne (Roger); grandchildren, Breanne, Alex, Lauren (Clint), Erin (Cody), Jessica (Chris), Tori (Tracy), Ransom, Grace, Landri, Kaela (Brandon), Christian, Kassidy, David, Caroline (Anthony); 20 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

How could we tell you about our Mother? She loved Hershey kisses, the sound of the rain, going to church, talking about Jesus, and sitting on the porch looking at God's beautiful creation. God gave all of us gifts to use for His glory and Mom always said hers was love. And it was! She loved everybody... the Walmart cashier, the hairdresser, EVERY church member, the nurses, the doctors, the rich, the poor, the young, the old, and especially those that other people might shun away from. I think she loved them even more❤. She had the extraordinary ability to make every person she met feel special. It didn't matter if you'd known her an hour or all of your life, you felt significant when you were in her presence. I've never talked to one person who had met our mother who didn't stop to tell me how kind she was or that she had been the reason they came back to church or what Ms. Jane's hugs meant to them. And, Oh, how she loved her family. She loved every single one from the oldest of her children to the youngest of her great great grands. She loved them with all of her heart and up until she became too sick, she called each and every one of their names out to God in prayer every day. What those prayers meant to us and how we'll miss them! Nothing shadowed the love she had for her Lord! He was the MOST important thing in her life! She never let an opportunity pass to tell you about Him and ask if you knew Him. She put Him first always. If you were around our mother for any length of time at all, you'd hear about Jesus. She radiated His love! She will be missed so very much by so many. It's hard to imagine not seeing her sweet face or hearing her sing "Happy Birthday" to us again, or having her squeeze us tight and say "I love you". Our mother's faith has now become sight and earth has become a little dimmer, but Heaven is shining a little brighter! In the words of our mother...if you don't have Jesus, you don't have anything!!!

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm Thursday July 22, 2021 at Anthony Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Dennis Bean, Pastor Trey Newton, and Rev. Ken Faulkenbury officiating.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 to 1:45 prior to the service at the church.

Interment will follow at Westview Gardens, Bessemer City.

Memorials may be made to Anthony Grove Baptist Church, 100 Anthony Grove Rd, Crouse, NC 28033

Condolences may be made to www.carpenterporter.com