Lydia (Teer) Ray

Lydia Teer Ray, 95, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2026. Born on June 23, 1930, to Charles and Leta Cheek Teer, Lydia grew up on a dairy farm in Orange County alongside her five brothers, where she developed the strong work ethic and generous spirit that would define her life.

Lydia graduated from High Point College with a degree in Home Economics and began her career as a teacher. She later settled in Carrboro, and then Chapel Hill, where she devoted herself to raising her three daughters. Lydia was a gifted seamstress and an exceptional cook, lovingly sewing clothes and tailoring garments for family and friends. Her home was a place of warmth and hospitality. An avid gardener, she found great joy tending her flowers and yard, nurturing them with the same care she gave to those she loved. Known for her quick, often sarcastic wit, Lydia had a wonderful sense of humor that kept family and friends laughing. Her deep love of Jesus guided her life and sustained her through every season.

A faithful and dedicated member of Carrboro Baptist Church, Lydia volunteered tirelessly, preparing Wednesday night suppers and supervising and cooking meals each summer for the church's youth group at Garden City Beach. She was also active in her local Girl Scouts chapter.

In addition to her work at home and in the community, Lydia served as a dietician at UNC's Gravely Sanitorium. She also worked with fraternities on campus, planning their meals and ordering food. Beyond her formal roles, Lydia became known for her gracious hospitality, welcoming fraternity members and their out-of-town dates during football weekends. For four dollars a night, she provided a comfortable place to stay and took great pride in making every guest feel at home.

In 1952, Lydia married her first love, Norris Ray. Together they shared 35 lively and joy-filled years, full of laughter, adventure, and the blessing of three daughters. After Norris's passing, Lydia was grateful to find love again and married William "Bill" Pressley in 1996. They shared 20 wonderful years together before his passing. Above all, Lydia cherished being with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved attending their events, hearing their stories, and simply spending time together, and they were the true joy and blessing of her later years.

Lydia is survived by her daughters, Jill Chesser (Rick) of Isle of Palms, SC, and Kay Edwards (Kenneth) of Myrtle Beach, SC; her eight grandchildren, Meredith, Lizabeth, Heather, Julia, Summer, Kyndal, Parker, and Emory; and 21 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Leta Teer; her five brothers; her first husband, Norris Ray; her daughter, Lynda Hall; her grandsons, Daniel and Jared; and her second husband, Bill Pressley.  She is also survived by Bill's children and their spouses: Tim Pressley (Pat), Billy Pressley (Paula), Mark Pressley (Susan), Mitzy Forest (Ed), Amanda Blackwood (Jason), and Tami Cates and her late husband, Phillip Cates, and their grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held on March 21 at 1:00 p.m. at Donaldson Funeral Home, with a Celebration of Life immediately following at 101 Ray Road in Chapel Hill. The family will hold a private interment.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Samaritan's Purse at: P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.

Donaldson Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Ray family.