Mrs. Bray passed to her death in Hendersonville, N.C. after a short recurring illness. Clessie was born at Poplarville, Kentucky the first of 8 children to Green S. and Mary Bell Poynter Rogers. She was united in marriage to Leonard J. Bray in 1929. Life was hard due to the depression and they chose to move to Indiana, where work was available. In 1985 they returned to their roots and spent several years in Somerset. As their health declined, it was necessary to move close to their daughters and sons-in-law. She is survived by her husband of 72 years; Leonard J. Bray, 2 daughters and sons-in-law; George and Betty Lou Bray Sermersheim and Stanley and Edith Delois Bray Vera Cruz, a brother; Curtis Rogers of Burlington, IN., 2 sisters; Imogene Thrasher and Charlene Sermersheim of Somerset, KY.
The following is added at the request of Clessie's Great Niece Mary Margaret from her memorial leaflet
printed "In Loving Memory" of Clessie Edith Rogers
Bray: Birth: She was born February 12, 1912, in Poplarville,
Kentucky, the first child of Green Steele Rogers and
Mary Bell Poynter Rogers.
Siblings: Earl, Coy, Curtis, Imogene Thrasher, Eugene,
Charlene Sermersheim and Donald Wayne Rogers. She was
preceded in death by Earl, Coy, Eugene, and Donald.
Childhood: She grew up in Poplarville, helping on her
father's farm and watching over seven younger brothers
and sisters.
Baptism: At a young age she was baptized into the
Baptist church by her father, who was a circuit riding
preacher well known throughout the area. For many
years she had a conviction that Saturday was the
Sabbath of the fourth commandment. Sharing this with
her father, her said, "Sister, if this is what your
heart tells you to do, do it." She joined the
Seventh-Day Adventist Church in 1952.
Marriage: On September 12, 1929, at the age of
seventeen, she married Leonard J. Bray, her husband of
72 years. That same day, they left for Cincinnati in
search of work. Because of The Great Depression there
was no work, so they returned to Poplarville where
they lived for 10 years before moving to Indiana,
again in search of work. Life was hard on the farm,
and with WWII needing factory workers, they moved to
Lebanon, IN, where they lived most of their married
life. In 1985 they returned "home" to Somerset. As
their health continued to decline, they sold their
home and moved to Hendersonville, NC to be near their
children.
Descendants: Betty Sermersheim and Lois Vera Cruz, six
grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and four
great-great-grandchildren.
Interests: Clessie was a stay-at-home Mom and
Homemaker. There was always an abundance of food
raised, preserved, and prepared for her family.
Beautiful flower gardens graced the well manicured
lawns and brightened a home that was kept spotlessly
clean and attractive. She also worked closely with
her husband. When her husband was building homes, she
was beside him drawing house plans, swinging hammers
and slinging paint. Whatever needed to be done, she
could and would do. In mid-life she spent five years
working as a nurses aid, caring for the elderly. She
loved this work and was know for her care and compassion. She enjoyed sewing, music and poetry, and
had a talent for all, Her greatest love was for her
family and her Savior. She never ceased praising Him
for His wonderful love and grace.
Death: Somewhat unexpected January 24, 2002. After
suffering compressions fractures of the back, she
developed an overwhelming pneumonia, and passed
quickly to her death.
The following is added at the request of Clessie's Great Niece Mary Margaret from her memorial leaflet
printed "In Loving Memory" of Clessie Edith Rogers
Bray: Birth: She was born February 12, 1912, in Poplarville,
Kentucky, the first child of Green Steele Rogers and
Mary Bell Poynter Rogers.
Siblings: Earl, Coy, Curtis, Imogene Thrasher, Eugene,
Charlene Sermersheim and Donald Wayne Rogers. She was
preceded in death by Earl, Coy, Eugene, and Donald.
Childhood: She grew up in Poplarville, helping on her
father's farm and watching over seven younger brothers
and sisters.
Baptism: At a young age she was baptized into the
Baptist church by her father, who was a circuit riding
preacher well known throughout the area. For many
years she had a conviction that Saturday was the
Sabbath of the fourth commandment. Sharing this with
her father, her said, "Sister, if this is what your
heart tells you to do, do it." She joined the
Seventh-Day Adventist Church in 1952.
Marriage: On September 12, 1929, at the age of
seventeen, she married Leonard J. Bray, her husband of
72 years. That same day, they left for Cincinnati in
search of work. Because of The Great Depression there
was no work, so they returned to Poplarville where
they lived for 10 years before moving to Indiana,
again in search of work. Life was hard on the farm,
and with WWII needing factory workers, they moved to
Lebanon, IN, where they lived most of their married
life. In 1985 they returned "home" to Somerset. As
their health continued to decline, they sold their
home and moved to Hendersonville, NC to be near their
children.
Descendants: Betty Sermersheim and Lois Vera Cruz, six
grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and four
great-great-grandchildren.
Interests: Clessie was a stay-at-home Mom and
Homemaker. There was always an abundance of food
raised, preserved, and prepared for her family.
Beautiful flower gardens graced the well manicured
lawns and brightened a home that was kept spotlessly
clean and attractive. She also worked closely with
her husband. When her husband was building homes, she
was beside him drawing house plans, swinging hammers
and slinging paint. Whatever needed to be done, she
could and would do. In mid-life she spent five years
working as a nurses aid, caring for the elderly. She
loved this work and was know for her care and compassion. She enjoyed sewing, music and poetry, and
had a talent for all, Her greatest love was for her
family and her Savior. She never ceased praising Him
for His wonderful love and grace.
Death: Somewhat unexpected January 24, 2002. After
suffering compressions fractures of the back, she
developed an overwhelming pneumonia, and passed
quickly to her death.
Mrs. Bray passed to her death in Hendersonville, N.C. after a short recurring illness. Clessie was born at Poplarville, Kentucky the first of 8 children to Green S. and Mary Bell Poynter Rogers. She was united in marriage to Leonard J. Bray in 1929. Life was hard due to the depression and they chose to move to Indiana, where work was available. In 1985 they returned to their roots and spent several years in Somerset. As their health declined, it was necessary to move close to their daughters and sons-in-law. She is survived by her husband of 72 years; Leonard J. Bray, 2 daughters and sons-in-law; George and Betty Lou Bray Sermersheim and Stanley and Edith Delois Bray Vera Cruz, a brother; Curtis Rogers of Burlington, IN., 2 sisters; Imogene Thrasher and Charlene Sermersheim of Somerset, KY.
The following is added at the request of Clessie's Great Niece Mary Margaret from her memorial leaflet
printed "In Loving Memory" of Clessie Edith Rogers
Bray: Birth: She was born February 12, 1912, in Poplarville,
Kentucky, the first child of Green Steele Rogers and
Mary Bell Poynter Rogers.
Siblings: Earl, Coy, Curtis, Imogene Thrasher, Eugene,
Charlene Sermersheim and Donald Wayne Rogers. She was
preceded in death by Earl, Coy, Eugene, and Donald.
Childhood: She grew up in Poplarville, helping on her
father's farm and watching over seven younger brothers
and sisters.
Baptism: At a young age she was baptized into the
Baptist church by her father, who was a circuit riding
preacher well known throughout the area. For many
years she had a conviction that Saturday was the
Sabbath of the fourth commandment. Sharing this with
her father, her said, "Sister, if this is what your
heart tells you to do, do it." She joined the
Seventh-Day Adventist Church in 1952.
Marriage: On September 12, 1929, at the age of
seventeen, she married Leonard J. Bray, her husband of
72 years. That same day, they left for Cincinnati in
search of work. Because of The Great Depression there
was no work, so they returned to Poplarville where
they lived for 10 years before moving to Indiana,
again in search of work. Life was hard on the farm,
and with WWII needing factory workers, they moved to
Lebanon, IN, where they lived most of their married
life. In 1985 they returned "home" to Somerset. As
their health continued to decline, they sold their
home and moved to Hendersonville, NC to be near their
children.
Descendants: Betty Sermersheim and Lois Vera Cruz, six
grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and four
great-great-grandchildren.
Interests: Clessie was a stay-at-home Mom and
Homemaker. There was always an abundance of food
raised, preserved, and prepared for her family.
Beautiful flower gardens graced the well manicured
lawns and brightened a home that was kept spotlessly
clean and attractive. She also worked closely with
her husband. When her husband was building homes, she
was beside him drawing house plans, swinging hammers
and slinging paint. Whatever needed to be done, she
could and would do. In mid-life she spent five years
working as a nurses aid, caring for the elderly. She
loved this work and was know for her care and compassion. She enjoyed sewing, music and poetry, and
had a talent for all, Her greatest love was for her
family and her Savior. She never ceased praising Him
for His wonderful love and grace.
Death: Somewhat unexpected January 24, 2002. After
suffering compressions fractures of the back, she
developed an overwhelming pneumonia, and passed
quickly to her death.
The following is added at the request of Clessie's Great Niece Mary Margaret from her memorial leaflet
printed "In Loving Memory" of Clessie Edith Rogers
Bray: Birth: She was born February 12, 1912, in Poplarville,
Kentucky, the first child of Green Steele Rogers and
Mary Bell Poynter Rogers.
Siblings: Earl, Coy, Curtis, Imogene Thrasher, Eugene,
Charlene Sermersheim and Donald Wayne Rogers. She was
preceded in death by Earl, Coy, Eugene, and Donald.
Childhood: She grew up in Poplarville, helping on her
father's farm and watching over seven younger brothers
and sisters.
Baptism: At a young age she was baptized into the
Baptist church by her father, who was a circuit riding
preacher well known throughout the area. For many
years she had a conviction that Saturday was the
Sabbath of the fourth commandment. Sharing this with
her father, her said, "Sister, if this is what your
heart tells you to do, do it." She joined the
Seventh-Day Adventist Church in 1952.
Marriage: On September 12, 1929, at the age of
seventeen, she married Leonard J. Bray, her husband of
72 years. That same day, they left for Cincinnati in
search of work. Because of The Great Depression there
was no work, so they returned to Poplarville where
they lived for 10 years before moving to Indiana,
again in search of work. Life was hard on the farm,
and with WWII needing factory workers, they moved to
Lebanon, IN, where they lived most of their married
life. In 1985 they returned "home" to Somerset. As
their health continued to decline, they sold their
home and moved to Hendersonville, NC to be near their
children.
Descendants: Betty Sermersheim and Lois Vera Cruz, six
grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and four
great-great-grandchildren.
Interests: Clessie was a stay-at-home Mom and
Homemaker. There was always an abundance of food
raised, preserved, and prepared for her family.
Beautiful flower gardens graced the well manicured
lawns and brightened a home that was kept spotlessly
clean and attractive. She also worked closely with
her husband. When her husband was building homes, she
was beside him drawing house plans, swinging hammers
and slinging paint. Whatever needed to be done, she
could and would do. In mid-life she spent five years
working as a nurses aid, caring for the elderly. She
loved this work and was know for her care and compassion. She enjoyed sewing, music and poetry, and
had a talent for all, Her greatest love was for her
family and her Savior. She never ceased praising Him
for His wonderful love and grace.
Death: Somewhat unexpected January 24, 2002. After
suffering compressions fractures of the back, she
developed an overwhelming pneumonia, and passed
quickly to her death.
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