Sylvia Jane Wray Handy

Sylvia Jane Wray Handy, a beloved member of our community, passed away peacefully at Ancora, The Gibson House in Wentworth, North Carolina, on December 12,2025 with her family by her side.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday December 15,2025 at Draper Pentecostal Holiness Church, with Dr. Dan Woods and Pastor Debbie Durham officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Following the funeral service, Sylvia will be interred at Dan-View Cemetery.

Sylvia was born in Rockingham County, North Carolina, on January 21, 1940, to the late John Smith Wray and Annie Frances Lillard. She had a remarkable career, serving as an Executive Secretary for Fieldcrest Mills Cannon Inc. until her retirement. Later, she worked for The Wright Company of Eden, North Carolina.

Sylvia was a dedicated member of Draper Pentecostal Holiness Church, where she served as Church Organist and Director of the Adult Christmas Program. Through the years she was actively involved in Children’s Ministry and Church Choir. Her love for sending friends and family cards for all occasions was her true ministry. Above all, Sylvia cherished her family.

Along with her parents, Sylvia is preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Samuel Jackson (Jack) Handy. She is also preceded in death by her sisters, Elizabeth Wray Smith and Bonnie Wray Todd, as well as her special sisters in-law,Virginia Raileanu, Nellie Jean Clark, and her brothers-in-law, Randy Smith, Harold Todd, and Roy Clark.

Sylvia is also survived by her nieces and nephews, Jonathan Todd (Tammy) of Reidsville North Carolina and Randola Odill (Mike) of Peyton, Colorado, Kent Smith (Paula) of Aurora Colorado and LaDonna Person (Jeff) of Plymouth, North Carolina. Sammy Raileanu of Eden, North Carolina,Judy Crew,( Lin) of Dry Fork, Virginia, Janet Barber, ( Tim) of Dry Fork, Virginia. Additionally, she is survived by her very special sister-in-law, Catherine Handy, of Dry Fork, Virginia.

Sylvia is also survived by several great and great great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request memorial contributions be made to Ancora Passionate Care, The Gibson House, located at 21650 NC Highway 65 in Reidsville, North Carolina.

The family expresses its deepest gratitude to the staff of The Gibson House for their unwavering dedication, commitment, professionalism, and support during this difficult time.

The family also wants to thank all those who visited her, called her, and sent her cards. Their presence and support made her days brighter.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.fairfuneralhome.com