Linda Ray

Linda Ruth Skaggs Ray, 90-something, of Grand Rivers, KY, formerly of Paducah, died Tuesday, September 13, 2016 at Baptist Health Paducah. She was never clear about her exact year of birth, enjoying rather being vague about her age with a fierce determination and belief that "age is just a number". In recent years, Linda told everyone that she was "99 years old", basking in joy when she was told she looks "much younger than 99."

Linda was born in Graves County to the late Orben and Gertie Clark Skaggs. She was a 1942 graduate of Lowes High School in Lowes, KY. Linda had been involved in several businesses throughout the years. She worked for Paducah Dry Goods; worked two years for Super Market Distributors, where she traveled to groceries within the Kroger chain; owned Hobnob Restaurant in Paducah for thirteen years; owned Ray's Distributors and Vacuum for several years; sold central vacuum systems for over thirty years; owned and operated Linda Ray Pit Bar-B-Q and for the past thirty years, Canoe Antiques Shop. She was a Kentucky Colonel. Linda was an ambassador and member of Grand Rivers Board of Tourism. She was instrumental in starting the Hunter's Moon Festival, where she was honored as Grand Marshall in recent years. An extensive traveler, Linda enjoyed entertaining her travel companions with her Minnie Pearl impersonations.

Surviving are her children, Kay (Tom) Perry-Riemholtz of Mattoon, IL, D'Ache (Steve) Moneymaker of Grand Rivers, KY, and Scottie (Sandra) Ray of Las Vegas, NV; grandchildren, Glynn (Marketi) Perry of Danville, KY, Dreama Perry of Washington, D.C., Dustin (Carolina) Perry of Kansas City, MO, Cheryl (Kyle) Selby of Beckemeyer, IL, Bradley (Sherry) Ray of Paducah, KY, Jordan (Fiancé' Tosha Mathis) Moneymaker of Grand Rivers, KY, Cassi (Craig) Monty of Vista, CA; siblings, Frankie (Jim) Riley, Carolyn Martynuik, and Joe (Judy) Skaggs all of Mayfield, KY; sixteen great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and travel companions and special relatives, Dorothy Dupree and Lisa and Don Milam.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Tommy Ray; siblings, James "Skinhead" Skaggs, Bobby Skaggs, Martin "Nap" Skaggs, Joy Waggoner, and Jozella "Jodie" Dick; and one grandchild, Kenneth L. Perry.

Funeral services will be held at 1pm Saturday at Calvert City Church of Christ, where she was a longtime member. Lance Cordal and Craig Evans will officiate. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be held from 5-8pm Friday at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah and after 12pm Saturday at the church.

Contributions may be made to New Pathways for Children, P.O. Box 10, Melber, KY 42069-0010; West Kentucky Youth Camp, 301 Youth Camp Road, Marion, KY 42064; or the charity of one's choice.