Albert “Al” Ray O’Steen III, 73, of Mayodan departed this earthly life on December 23, 2024, at Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro, following a brief illness. He left this world surrounded by his loving family and was covered in a blanket of love and prayers from friends and acquaintances from all over the world, for which his family will remain eternally grateful.
Al was born on October 20, 1951 in Durham, NC to the late Albert Ray O’Steen, Jr (Ray) and Margaret Russell O’Steen. A mere three weeks after he was born, his family moved back to Mayodan, NC where Al resided for the rest of his life. Al was a graduate of the Madison- Mayodan Class of 1970, Wingate University and attended Appalachian University. He made his career in logistics at Wieland (formerly Halstead and Kobe) Copper Products where he was employed for 47 years and 6 months. He was the longest continuously serving employee at this facility. Al was a true servant to his family, friends, community, and employer. Over the years he served on numerous boards and committees within his community. He was a long- time member of the Mayodan Fire Department, serving in many capacities, formerly serving as the Assistant Chief and held the position of Captain at his passing. He loved and cherished the friends he made over the years through both his employer and the fire department.
Undoubtedly, Al’s greatest role in life was a loving husband and father. On September 15,1984 he married his wife of 40 years, Norma Wray O’Steen. Within three years of marrying, they added both a son and a daughter to complete their family. Al could always be counted on to be at every play, awards ceremony, game, match, meet, camp out, and any other endeavors in which his children participated. Whether it involved his wife or his children, he was always their loudest cheerleader in anything and everything they did. Al dearly loved his immediate family, his extended family, the family that he married in to, and all the friends he made over the years. He will be greatly missed by all those that knew and loved him.
Al is survived by his wife, Norma O’Steen of the home; son, Albert “Bert” Ray O’Steen IV (Ashley) of Lawsonville, NC; daughter, Alexandria “Ali” Wray O’Steen (Katherine) of Greenville, NC; brothers Michael Russell O’Steen (Allison) of Asheville, NC; David Richard O’Steen of Jackson, MS; granddaughters, Lilliana Marie Robbs O’Steen and Trinitee Nicole Robbs O’Steen of Greenville, NC; mother-in-law Lucille Williams Wray of Mayodan, NC; sister-in-law Cheryl Wray Grise (Joseph) of Branford, CT; as well as numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins near and far. In addition to his parents, Al was pre-deceased by his father-in-law, Norman Carlton Wray of Mayodan, NC and brother-in-law, Daryl Lee Wray of Coronado, CA.
The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Moses Cone Neuro ICU for the loving care they showed not only to Al, but to his family as they traversed the sickness and loss of their beloved husband, father, and brother. The care and kindness shown there will never be forgotten.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be mailed to Mayodan First Baptist Church at 101 S 1st Ave., Mayodan, NC 27027. Please make checks payable to Mayodan First Baptist and memo Al O’Steen: Baptists on Mission @ www.baptistsonmission.org or Samaritans Purse @ www.samaritanspurse.org.
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