Obituary of Virgil E. Maybray

At 96 years of age Virgil E. Maybray passed away at 4:30am, November 4 in his apartment at the Waterford in Juno Beach, Florida. He was born to John Charles Maybray and Helen Peterson Maybray on February 10, 1919, in East Liverpool, OH. After attending more than a dozen schools, he graduated from New Castle (PA) Senior High School. He went on to earn degrees at Taylor University (BA), Wesley Theological Seminary (MDiv), and Temple University (STM), and did post-graduate studies at Hartford Theological Seminary. During his educational career he served churches in Indiana, Massachusetts, and Maryland. Having been ordained in the Baltimore Conference he transferred to what is now the W PA Conference of the United Methodist Church where he pastored the Chicora charge, Sharpsville First, Dubois First, Oil City Grace, and Irwin First. After 30 years in local churches, Maybray went into mission promotion and development ministry first as the Executive Secretary of the Evangelical Missions Council of “Good News” and later as the founding Vice President of the Mission Society for United Methodists. Preaching evangelistic services and conducting missions conferences took him to 100s of cities and towns throughout the United States and also to Great Britain, Mexico, and Paraguay. Always ready to preach, he would let anyone know that he had a sermon in his pocket. He married his college sweetheart, Marian Ruth Young of Castlewood, PA, on July 6, 1944. Together, they enjoyed raising four children: Jon, Bonnie, Mark, and Tim. She died on May 10, 1989. God found favor with him a second time and allowed him to marry Jane (Green) Rodgers of Tequesta, Florida on January 2, 1993. In addition to his wife, Jane, he is survived by three children: Jonathan and wife Joy Maybray of Springville, NY; Bonnie O’Neil and husband Ray of Fresno, CA; and Timothy and wife Lisa of Titusville, PA; a daughter-in-law Melanie Maybray of Drexel Hill, PA; and three step-children: Clay Rodgers of Jupiter, FL; Lisa Hockman and husband Mark of Prosperity, SC; Michelle Prendergast and husband Rob of Uniontown, OH. His progeny also includes 33 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. All of these he prayed for by name every day. In addition to his first wife, Marian, he was preceded in death by his son Mark Maybray and granddaughter Sarah Bronson. A service will be held on Tuesday, November 10, 2:00pm, at Trinity United Methodist Church, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, with the Rev. John Denmark presiding. A second service will be held at the Free Methodist Church in Titusville, PA, at 11:00am, November 14, with son Rev. Timothy Maybray officiating. There will be a visitation time one hour prior to both services. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Mission Society for United Methodists or Trinity United Methodist Church, Palm Beach, FL. During the seasons of his life, he enjoyed baseball, fishing, golfing, reading, and traveling. He was an avid letter writer to family, supporters, bishops, and anyone to whom he wished to speak his mind. His signature was always, “He is Risen!” If you wish to leave a condolence for the family, visit garrettfuneralhomeinc.com