Mary Ray

MARY AVENELL RAY, 90, of Newman, IL passed away at 1:47 A.M. on Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at her daughter’s residence in Newman, IL

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, January 3, 2015 at the Edwards Funeral Home, 221 East Main in Arcola, IL. Rev, Brent Budd will officiate. Burial will be in the Murdock Cemetery.

Mary was born on April 26, 1924 in Edgewood, IL. She was a daughter of Charles William and Katie Elizabeth (Collins-Richards) Wheatley. She married Carl Ray on February 20, 1940 in Tuscola, IL. He passed away on February 15, 2013.

Survivors include, four children, Betty Ellen Snow and her husband Ben of Clarksville, TN, Earl William “Billy” Ray and his wife Joanne of Villa Grove, IL, Linda Ann Wells and her husband Frank of Newman, IL and James Allen Ray and his wife Debbie of Georgetown, IL; fourteen grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Sue Roetemeyer of Snohomish, WA; one brother, Harold Wheatley and his wife Helen of Savoy, IL and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Carl, one infant son, Carl Michael Ray, six brothers, Virgil, Joe, Darrel, John Alfred and Donald and two sisters, Charollet and Murial.

Mary was a stay at home mom until her children were grown. Then she worked for the Villa Grove School Food Service for two years, Jarman Center for two years and McKinley Hospital as a Nurse’s Aide for a short while. After retiring she and her husband Carl resided in Newman, IL, enjoying the company of friends and family. Mary enjoyed cooking, and grandchildren. Mary had several hobbies which included crocheting, ceramics, cross stitch, and sewing. She also collected lighthouses and dolls.