Katherine Isabelle (Burke) Ray went to be with our Heavenly Father on Saturday, September 6, 2014. She is resting between his shoulders and it is now, with Him, that her heart is truly singing. Katherine was born in Ruleville, Mississippi on December 20, 1914 to Judge Earl Dennis Burke and Alpha Hannah Burke. She started to walk when she was 9 months old, therefore, receiving her nickname "Totsy." She had two sisters, Ruth & Lucille. Three brothers, Jack, Dee & Billy, whom she adored. She graduated from Ruleville High School in Mississippi in the year of 1931, where she was an active member on the women's basketball team. She was among the eighteen graduates of her class. In 1928 a handsome young man had caught her eye on stern objection from her Father and Mother. You see, Katherine was only 14 years old and her young man was 22. They fell madly in love. She was forbidden to see him. Noel joined the United States Navy and was deployed overseas, but they wrote to each other every day until his return. After witnessing the love & devotion they had for one another, Katherine's parents gave their blessing. After an "old fashioned courtship" she married that young man, the one and only love of her life, Noel Blanton Ray on March 27, 1935. Katherine was a "war bride" and raised her three children mostly alone. After the war they moved to California and eventually settled in Port Hueneme in 1952. In 1953 they were surprised with an additional baby girl. Noel & Katherine remained married and deeply in love until Noel's passing on December 31, 1983. Katherine's children always enjoyed and looked forward to hearing all the stories of her childhood which included getting in trouble and being sent to bed because she and her siblings "giggled" to much at the dinner table or how jealous her sister Ruth was of Katherine's blonde hair and would stomp her foot demanding to know why her hair wasn't "Yellow!" Katherine would see a beautiful dress on a "Silver Screen movie star," describe it to her Mother and after many nights of sewing, would receive the exact replica down to the very last detail. How, because of her Mother, she had beautiful "wedding" clothes for her honeymoon. The story of Katherine recalling the day Noel came home from the war. They had been apart for 6 years. She remembered the sound of the gravel below his feet as he walked up to her front door to ask Judge Burke for her hand in marriage. It was obvious to see how very much she loved Noel as she told the story. "They were playing Happy days are here again' on the radio" she would say as the sparkles shot out from her beautiful gray eyes. So many wonderful stories. Stories that will be held close to our hearts forever. During Christmas time her family looked forward to her famous kitchen activities which included the soothing sound of her spoon whipping her famous fudge and divinity, her famous fruit cake, using her beautiful crystal glasses for the dinner table and the annual decorating of the Christmas tree with perfection. Her heart felt laughter was contagious. Katherine took great pride in her home's reputation as a place of comfort, love and hospitality. Katherine was a strong loving, Christian woman who inspired everyone around her with her steadfast faith and the ability to illuminate genuine joy that she received from our Lord. She was dedicated to her church, family and her numerous friends. Her love and dedication to our Savior never wavered. She was a true example of Christianity. If the church doors were open, Katherine was walking thru them up until her health would not allow her to do so any longer. Instead she would have daily devotions in solitude at her home and draw peace and strength from the readings of her worn bible. Her family learned an enormous amount of lessons from Katherine in love, faith, strength, trust having hope and having compassion. They will be forever thankful for those valuable examples and will miss her deeply until the day they are all joined together again in Glory. Katherine's family would like to thank everyone who prayed for her and continued to mail cards of encouragement and love. They all meant a great deal to her. She loved all of you. All her friends lovingly referred to her as "Tot." She is survived by her children, Ronald L. (Mary E.) Ray, Alpha Anne (Mel E.) Ott, daughter-in-law Anita Ray, Vera L. (Alex C.) Cabrera, twelve grandchildren, Lori (Steve) Meggitt, Dena (Stewart) Isley, James (Candice) Ott, Justin (Niara) Huser, Kyle Cabrera, Noel Ray II, Inez Ray, Denise Ray, nine great-grandchildren, Cyle Lublin, Jordan Lublin, Robert (Cassie) Isley, George Isley, Katherine Isley, Jackson Fitzgerald, Nevaeh Huser and Aleah Huser. She was preceded in death by her precious husband, Noel Blanton Ray, her Mother, Alpha Burke & Father, Earl Dennis Burke, brothers, Jack Burke, Dee Burke & William Burke, sister, Lucille O'Neal & Ruth Lapresto, her loving granddaughter, LeeAnn Ray & her youngest son, Dennis Burke Ray. Visitation will be held at Ochalek-Stark Funeral Home in Milan on Friday, September 12th from 10 - 11 am where services will begin at 11am with Pastor Doug Strader of Milan Baptist Church officiating. Her final resting place will be in Oxnard, California. Memorial contributions may be made to Milan Baptist Church Missions.
Source not given - information from Tracerider (46619522)