Velma Josephine "Jo" Wray

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and retired kindergarten teacher Velma Josephine (Jo) Wray (née Hart) of Hunt Valley, Maryland, passed away peacefully on November 2, 2026, after a brief illness.

Jo leaves behind her husband Richard Wray, her son Robert Wray and his wife, Tracy Gold, and her grandchild, Ava Goldwray. She also leaves her sister Kay Bartholomew, brother-in-law Doug Bartholomew, and nephews Andrew, Daniel, and Paul.

Growing up, much of Jo’s life was centered around church activities. Her loving father Ivan was a chaplain in the Army, pastor, and special education teacher. Her loving mother Velma was an elementary school teacher, director of a preschool program, and an active church member.

Jo learned scriptures and studied missions via the Southern Baptist church’s Girls in Action program. She worked very hard and received a Queen Regent award. This included badges, a crown, a scepter and a cape. Jo loved being a queen!

When she was very little, Jo even tried (and failed) to baptize the family cat! Jo loved to tease her sister by doing things like jumping out from behind the closet and telling stories about a black poodle and a scary house next door. As Jo grew, she had lively conversations with her parents, joyfully sparring over their strong opinions.

In middle school, Jo attended the same school where her dad was teaching. Somehow, he ended up with Fred Flintstone as a nickname. When this frustrated Jo, she would playfully use her purse as a bopper box.

Jo majored in early childhood education at Towson University, which was fate for more than just her career. Jo’s former professor and friend Barbara Pour initiated a blind date with Richard Wray. Jo and her sister peeked through the curtains to check out this tall guy. 55 years of marriage show that first date was quite a success!

Richard became an important part of the family, joining in on Jo and Ivan’s lively debates. Jo and Richard were married on Christmas Eve in 1971 after her first semester of teaching.

Jo soon became a mother to Rob. With Richard’s support, Jo continued teaching and gained her master’s degree. During her career as a lower elementary school teacher, Jo loved nourishing and educating children. Some of her students reached out decades later to let her family know how much she meant to them as a teacher. Being a grandmother to Ava revived Jo’s love of enriching children’s lives with stories, games, crafts, and of course, many stuffed animals! Jo loved sewing, quilting, and even better, hunting a good bargain on craft supplies. If a craft involved a heart, Jo loved it even more because of her maiden name, Hart.

Jo loved Christmas and supported Richard’s retirement job as mall Santa. But you better not call her Mrs. Claus unless you wanted to get put on the naughty list! Jo Wray stuck to her own name and her own story.

Richard, Jo, and Rob spent many summers in Lake George, New York, boating, hiking, and enjoying time with extended family. After retirement, Richard and Jo were able to spend even more time in Lake George, where Jo was active in the Ticonderoga First United Methodist Church.

Richard and Jo spent the winters in their longtime home in Reisterstown, Maryland, before they moved into the Broadmead retirement community. Jo enjoyed keeping plants on the patio, attending lectures and community events, and shopping at the Amish market.

Celebration of life arrangements are pending. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Ticonderoga First United Methodist Church.