Charlotte Mcvay

Charlotte ‘Charlie’ Jo Lynn McVay was given her wings on January 3, 2023.

Born on December 7, 2022, Charlie Jo lived a short life, but a meaningful one. In the short time she was here, she touched the lives of several, including but not limited to family, friends, nurses, doctors and strangers, and she did so without ever knowing she did.

She was a miracle, in every essence of the word, from her conception until the time she was called home. Charlie Jo was known as an angel with wings that couldn’t be seen, and she carried with her a strength no one expected. She was a genuine warrior, a fighter, and heaven-sent. It has been said she has been in the arms and on the lap of God since the beginning.

She has renewed faith for many and allowed several to find answers they were longing for. While here, she defied the odds and sparked hope in the darkest of times. When the world found doubt and uncertainty, she proved them all wrong and expressed through her sheer existence proof of God’s holy love and divine grace. Many have seen God through her in every day routines, and though she couldn’t speak, God spoke through her.

This sweet angel of a child made an impact on people she would never know, and she provided insight into a love so rare those privileged to have known her could never explain.

While hope is hard to gain and easy to lose, Charlie Jo has shown it is never hard to find.

Though she never made it to her earthly home, she rests easy in her eternal home; safe, secure and happy.

She is preceded in death by her great-grandfather ‘Scrappy Pappy’ Bill Rowland, great-uncle Charley Miller, and great-uncle Edward West, great-grandmother Mary Jane Hoffman, great-grandfather Bill Hoffman, and great-grandfather Dick McVay.

She is survived by her mother and father, Amber Ray and Wyatt McVay, her brother Will Ray, and her sister Maria Ray, all of Perry. She is also survived by paternal grandparents Shawn and Teresa McVay, Perry; maternal grandparents Liz Rowland, Arkansas, and James Ray, Louisiana; uncle Halston (John) McVay, Texas; uncle Stephen Ray, Arkansas; cousins Tyler and Dawson, Arkansas; her aunt Jessica (Storm) Foster and cousin Colton, Kansas; her aunt Lori (James) and cousins James Battles III and Joshua Battles; great-grandmother Jo Ann Rowland; and great-grandmother Jan McVay.

She is also survived by many, many more people that love her beyond words.

Though gone, she still rests in the hearts and memories of many.

There will be no services had as her parents wished to finally bring her home and they ask her memory live on as the feisty warrior she was.

In lieu of flowers or other condolences, the family asks that donations be made to Shriner’s Orthopedic Hospital in memory of Charlotte ‘Charlie Jo’ Lynn McVay. Donations can be made via phone at 1-844-739-0849 or by mail at: Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, Attn: Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607; or online at https://lovetotherescue.org.