CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Paula Williams Ray's five-month search for three brothers came to an end in a tearful phone call around 2 p.m. a week ago.

Ray had been searching for the brothers - Carlos, Guy and Preston Withrow - as part of a last wish from her ex-husband, Perry Ray, who died of cancer in February.

After a June 27 Gazette-Mail article about her search, Paula received numerous phone calls and e-mails, and by the end of the day was put in contact with Carlos and Guy Withrow.

"I never dreamed that my phone would ring that much, that day, with so much information," Paula said.

She heard from cousins, friends and even neighbors of the brothers.

"It was each person that gave me a little bit, a little bit and a little bit," she said.

It was the final call from Carlos Withrow's sister-in-law, around 2 p.m., that put Paula in contact with him. He lived in Cleveland for several years, and now lives in Clay Center.

Guy Withrow is in the Cleveland area, and is currently undergoing treatment for cancer. Preston Withrow died about 14 years ago in a fire.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Paula Williams Ray's five-month search for three brothers came to an end in a tearful phone call around 2 p.m. a week ago.

Ray had been searching for the brothers - Carlos, Guy and Preston Withrow - as part of a last wish from her ex-husband, Perry Ray, who died of cancer in February.

After a June 27 Gazette-Mail article about her search, Paula received numerous phone calls and e-mails, and by the end of the day was put in contact with Carlos and Guy Withrow.

"I never dreamed that my phone would ring that much, that day, with so much information," Paula said.

She heard from cousins, friends and even neighbors of the brothers.

"It was each person that gave me a little bit, a little bit and a little bit," she said.

It was the final call from Carlos Withrow's sister-in-law, around 2 p.m., that put Paula in contact with him. He lived in Cleveland for several years, and now lives in Clay Center.

Guy Withrow is in the Cleveland area, and is currently undergoing treatment for cancer. Preston Withrow died about 14 years ago in a fire.

The Withrow brothers were three of five foster children that lived with Perry Ray and his family in Poca in the late 1950s.

Perry had always wondered what happened to the boys after they left his home in 1958, but his life was cut short before he had the chance for the long-awaited reunion.

Paula took up Perry's last wish to find his five foster brothers in time for his memorial service at 3 p.m. July 18 at Poca Methodist Church.

In March, Paula found two of the foster brothers - Larry Gaylor, who lives in Scott Depot, and his twin brother, Jerry, who lives in New Jersey.

Paula also wanted to find the Withrow and Gaylor brothers to give them photos she had found while going through boxes in her ex-husband's home.

"This is what this is all about ... is to share these pictures," Paula said. "I knew they wouldn't have much, if they had anything."

Reach Veronica Nett at veroni...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5113.