Midori Ishikawa Railey

Midori Ishikawa Railey, age 97, died peacefully at her home in Emerald Isle, NC, on May 25, 2024. 

She was born July 28, 1926, in Urasoe-son, Okinawa, Japan. She was one of eight children born to Seikichi Ishikawa and Yasue Sakuda along with brothers Seiso, Seitaro, Minoru, and Katsumasa; and sisters Chiyo, Harue, and Hatsue. 

The family suffered greatly during World War II.  Midori’s father and brothers Seiso and Minoru perished.  Midori, her mother, several siblings, and cousins escaped Okinawa and lived in a refugee camp in Kumamoto, Amakusa, Japan. The surviving family returned to Okinawa after the war and endured many years of hardship before they were finally able to restore the family farm. Midori survived the loss of her family members, as well as near starvation; these experiences during and immediately after World War II transformed her into the strong, independent woman she remained for the rest of her life. 

The 1950’s brought Midori a much better life. She worked hard and became a trained dress designer and Ikebana floral artist. She met her beloved husband Merritt Maupin Railey, Jr. while he was working as a civil engineer on Okinawa. They married and welcomed two children. The family moved from Okinawa to northern Virginia in 1971 where Midori was a devoted wife and mother. She lost her husband in 1983 and soon moved to North Carolina to be closer to her children and grandchildren. For the rest of her life Midori continued to enjoy sewing, ceramics, art, and most of all crocheting. In her last years, she could be found every day sitting on her favorite blue chair by the window enjoying the sun and crocheting hundreds of beautiful doilies, table runners, and snowflakes.

In addition to her husband, parents, and several brothers and sisters, she is preceded in death by her stepdaughters Barbara Wray and Johanne Elliott, and her stepson Merritt Maupin Railey III (Joanne). 

She is survived by her daughter Miyuki Elizabeth DeHart (Charles); son Kenneth Randolph Railey (Frances); grandchildren Matthew Jason Railey (Meredith) and Caitlyn Alexandra McCrumb (Spencer); great-grandchildren Miles Robert Railey and Lydia Isabelle Railey. She is also survived by her stepson Bill Railey (Rhonda) and her devoted caregiver Mirranda Lowry, whom she grew to love as her own daughter.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m., Friday, May 31^st at Munden Funeral Home.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Carteret Health Foundation (Hospice), 3500 Arendell St., Morehead City, NC 28557, or online at https://www.carterethealth.org.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.