Bloomington Herald-Times 04/07/2008
Carrie May Ray, 88, of Bloomington, passed away on Sunday, April 6 at Brown County Health and Living Community.
She was born February 7, 1920, the daughter of James Vollie and Armonia Highfill.
Carrie deeply loved her family, her church, and her Lord. She was a faithful member of McDoel Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir and played in the bell choir. She had also worked with the youth group and was involved in ministering to international students. She was employed for 21 years as a receptionist in the office of her son, Dr. James Ray.
Survivors include two sons, and their wives: James and Donna Ray of Bloomington, and Dan and Susan Ray of Ellettsville; a third daughter-in-law, Ruth Sutherlin of Bloomington; eight grandchildren Evelyn Ray of Globe, AZ, Linda Lewis of Bloomington, Peggy Benevidez of Tempe, AZ, Brad Ray of Bloomington, David Ray of Bloomington, Angela Dunst of Indianapolis, Aaron Ray of Rockford, IL, and Abigail Ray of Ellettsville. She also had 12 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, David H. Ray; her son, David D. Ray; and her sister, Claris Broadstreet.
Services will be held at McDoel Baptist Church on Wednesday, April 9, at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Harold Carter presiding. Viewing hours will be from noon till the time of the service at the church.
Day Funeral Home in Bloomington is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be given at www.mem.com.
Bloomington Times Herald 04/11/2008
They say when God closes a door, he opens a window, and he did just that for Carrie Ray, a woman of deep faith who was devastated when her husband, David, died in 1971.
They had met on a blind date. She was young and unsure of herself. "She said the first time she saw him he looked like he was going to be too good for me," said her son, longtime Bloomington physician Dr. James Ray. "They dated probably a year and then eloped when she was only 15. Dad was five years older than Mom. They were married 35 years before he died."
They had three sons - David, James and Dan - and emphasized family values. "We sat down at night to have dinner together," James said, "we had family devotions, we just had a strong sense of family."
And Carrie and her husband were homebodies. When he died, it was hard hearing that door close with such family.
But a week after David's death, a window opened.James was established in his practice and offered his mother a job as receptionist at his office. She accepted and it helped her cope with her grief.
"The job really meant a lot to her," said her son, Dan. "She needed to be around people at that point in her life. I thought she really demonstrated how to handle grief when she lost my dad. Initially, I really was fearful she would never be happy again, and it's true she never really got over his loss. But it also was the start of a new phase of her life when she went to work."
Carrie and the job seemed to be a perfect match. She was friendly, courteous and understanding, just what patients needed, although that sometimes meant busy workdays for Dr. Ray. "Sometimes she booked me so heavy I had trouble keeping up," he said laughing. "She had trouble turning people down. But the patients loved that. If they called and talked with Mom, they knew they could get in."
Other aspects of her life changed as well. She became more active in her church, McDoel Baptist, where she sang in the choir and performed in the bell choir.
She liked all kinds of music. She and Dan became close after David's death, Dan was 18 when he lost his father. "She and I were mother and son but we were friends too, and found we shared a lot of common interests," he said.
One of those common interests was music. Carrie even came to appreciate the music of the Beatles and Bob Dylan. "I remember she was listening to the radio and said, 'That's Jimi Hendrix, isn't it?' and it was," Dan said. "It was just typical of her child-like kind of openness to new things."
She got involved with the Older American Center and learned to dance. "She learned a lot of dances there and liked to demonstrate them to the family," Dan said. "She'd teach me the latest steps or her grandkids."
Once a stay-at-home type, Carrie joined groups that traveled, even taking trips to Europe.
"She did things she never did before. Her whole life changed," James said.
She became active in working with the youth group and ministering to international students.
Carrie worked more than 20 years for her son, retiring from her job in the early 1990s.
She struggled with serious health issues later in life but was never one to complain.
She died Sunday at the age of 88.
Her children are comforted by the thought that their parents, separated for so long, are now together again.
Carrie May Ray, 88, of Bloomington, passed away on Sunday, April 6 at Brown County Health and Living Community.
She was born February 7, 1920, the daughter of James Vollie and Armonia Highfill.
Carrie deeply loved her family, her church, and her Lord. She was a faithful member of McDoel Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir and played in the bell choir. She had also worked with the youth group and was involved in ministering to international students. She was employed for 21 years as a receptionist in the office of her son, Dr. James Ray.
Survivors include two sons, and their wives: James and Donna Ray of Bloomington, and Dan and Susan Ray of Ellettsville; a third daughter-in-law, Ruth Sutherlin of Bloomington; eight grandchildren Evelyn Ray of Globe, AZ, Linda Lewis of Bloomington, Peggy Benevidez of Tempe, AZ, Brad Ray of Bloomington, David Ray of Bloomington, Angela Dunst of Indianapolis, Aaron Ray of Rockford, IL, and Abigail Ray of Ellettsville. She also had 12 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, David H. Ray; her son, David D. Ray; and her sister, Claris Broadstreet.
Services will be held at McDoel Baptist Church on Wednesday, April 9, at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Harold Carter presiding. Viewing hours will be from noon till the time of the service at the church.
Day Funeral Home in Bloomington is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be given at www.mem.com.
Bloomington Times Herald 04/11/2008
They say when God closes a door, he opens a window, and he did just that for Carrie Ray, a woman of deep faith who was devastated when her husband, David, died in 1971.
They had met on a blind date. She was young and unsure of herself. "She said the first time she saw him he looked like he was going to be too good for me," said her son, longtime Bloomington physician Dr. James Ray. "They dated probably a year and then eloped when she was only 15. Dad was five years older than Mom. They were married 35 years before he died."
They had three sons - David, James and Dan - and emphasized family values. "We sat down at night to have dinner together," James said, "we had family devotions, we just had a strong sense of family."
And Carrie and her husband were homebodies. When he died, it was hard hearing that door close with such family.
But a week after David's death, a window opened.James was established in his practice and offered his mother a job as receptionist at his office. She accepted and it helped her cope with her grief.
"The job really meant a lot to her," said her son, Dan. "She needed to be around people at that point in her life. I thought she really demonstrated how to handle grief when she lost my dad. Initially, I really was fearful she would never be happy again, and it's true she never really got over his loss. But it also was the start of a new phase of her life when she went to work."
Carrie and the job seemed to be a perfect match. She was friendly, courteous and understanding, just what patients needed, although that sometimes meant busy workdays for Dr. Ray. "Sometimes she booked me so heavy I had trouble keeping up," he said laughing. "She had trouble turning people down. But the patients loved that. If they called and talked with Mom, they knew they could get in."
Other aspects of her life changed as well. She became more active in her church, McDoel Baptist, where she sang in the choir and performed in the bell choir.
She liked all kinds of music. She and Dan became close after David's death, Dan was 18 when he lost his father. "She and I were mother and son but we were friends too, and found we shared a lot of common interests," he said.
One of those common interests was music. Carrie even came to appreciate the music of the Beatles and Bob Dylan. "I remember she was listening to the radio and said, 'That's Jimi Hendrix, isn't it?' and it was," Dan said. "It was just typical of her child-like kind of openness to new things."
She got involved with the Older American Center and learned to dance. "She learned a lot of dances there and liked to demonstrate them to the family," Dan said. "She'd teach me the latest steps or her grandkids."
Once a stay-at-home type, Carrie joined groups that traveled, even taking trips to Europe.
"She did things she never did before. Her whole life changed," James said.
She became active in working with the youth group and ministering to international students.
Carrie worked more than 20 years for her son, retiring from her job in the early 1990s.
She struggled with serious health issues later in life but was never one to complain.
She died Sunday at the age of 88.
Her children are comforted by the thought that their parents, separated for so long, are now together again.
Bloomington Herald-Times 04/07/2008
Carrie May Ray, 88, of Bloomington, passed away on Sunday, April 6 at Brown County Health and Living Community.
She was born February 7, 1920, the daughter of James Vollie and Armonia Highfill.
Carrie deeply loved her family, her church, and her Lord. She was a faithful member of McDoel Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir and played in the bell choir. She had also worked with the youth group and was involved in ministering to international students. She was employed for 21 years as a receptionist in the office of her son, Dr. James Ray.
Survivors include two sons, and their wives: James and Donna Ray of Bloomington, and Dan and Susan Ray of Ellettsville; a third daughter-in-law, Ruth Sutherlin of Bloomington; eight grandchildren Evelyn Ray of Globe, AZ, Linda Lewis of Bloomington, Peggy Benevidez of Tempe, AZ, Brad Ray of Bloomington, David Ray of Bloomington, Angela Dunst of Indianapolis, Aaron Ray of Rockford, IL, and Abigail Ray of Ellettsville. She also had 12 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, David H. Ray; her son, David D. Ray; and her sister, Claris Broadstreet.
Services will be held at McDoel Baptist Church on Wednesday, April 9, at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Harold Carter presiding. Viewing hours will be from noon till the time of the service at the church.
Day Funeral Home in Bloomington is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be given at www.mem.com.
Bloomington Times Herald 04/11/2008
They say when God closes a door, he opens a window, and he did just that for Carrie Ray, a woman of deep faith who was devastated when her husband, David, died in 1971.
They had met on a blind date. She was young and unsure of herself. "She said the first time she saw him he looked like he was going to be too good for me," said her son, longtime Bloomington physician Dr. James Ray. "They dated probably a year and then eloped when she was only 15. Dad was five years older than Mom. They were married 35 years before he died."
They had three sons - David, James and Dan - and emphasized family values. "We sat down at night to have dinner together," James said, "we had family devotions, we just had a strong sense of family."
And Carrie and her husband were homebodies. When he died, it was hard hearing that door close with such family.
But a week after David's death, a window opened.James was established in his practice and offered his mother a job as receptionist at his office. She accepted and it helped her cope with her grief.
"The job really meant a lot to her," said her son, Dan. "She needed to be around people at that point in her life. I thought she really demonstrated how to handle grief when she lost my dad. Initially, I really was fearful she would never be happy again, and it's true she never really got over his loss. But it also was the start of a new phase of her life when she went to work."
Carrie and the job seemed to be a perfect match. She was friendly, courteous and understanding, just what patients needed, although that sometimes meant busy workdays for Dr. Ray. "Sometimes she booked me so heavy I had trouble keeping up," he said laughing. "She had trouble turning people down. But the patients loved that. If they called and talked with Mom, they knew they could get in."
Other aspects of her life changed as well. She became more active in her church, McDoel Baptist, where she sang in the choir and performed in the bell choir.
She liked all kinds of music. She and Dan became close after David's death, Dan was 18 when he lost his father. "She and I were mother and son but we were friends too, and found we shared a lot of common interests," he said.
One of those common interests was music. Carrie even came to appreciate the music of the Beatles and Bob Dylan. "I remember she was listening to the radio and said, 'That's Jimi Hendrix, isn't it?' and it was," Dan said. "It was just typical of her child-like kind of openness to new things."
She got involved with the Older American Center and learned to dance. "She learned a lot of dances there and liked to demonstrate them to the family," Dan said. "She'd teach me the latest steps or her grandkids."
Once a stay-at-home type, Carrie joined groups that traveled, even taking trips to Europe.
"She did things she never did before. Her whole life changed," James said.
She became active in working with the youth group and ministering to international students.
Carrie worked more than 20 years for her son, retiring from her job in the early 1990s.
She struggled with serious health issues later in life but was never one to complain.
She died Sunday at the age of 88.
Her children are comforted by the thought that their parents, separated for so long, are now together again.
Carrie May Ray, 88, of Bloomington, passed away on Sunday, April 6 at Brown County Health and Living Community.
She was born February 7, 1920, the daughter of James Vollie and Armonia Highfill.
Carrie deeply loved her family, her church, and her Lord. She was a faithful member of McDoel Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir and played in the bell choir. She had also worked with the youth group and was involved in ministering to international students. She was employed for 21 years as a receptionist in the office of her son, Dr. James Ray.
Survivors include two sons, and their wives: James and Donna Ray of Bloomington, and Dan and Susan Ray of Ellettsville; a third daughter-in-law, Ruth Sutherlin of Bloomington; eight grandchildren Evelyn Ray of Globe, AZ, Linda Lewis of Bloomington, Peggy Benevidez of Tempe, AZ, Brad Ray of Bloomington, David Ray of Bloomington, Angela Dunst of Indianapolis, Aaron Ray of Rockford, IL, and Abigail Ray of Ellettsville. She also had 12 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, David H. Ray; her son, David D. Ray; and her sister, Claris Broadstreet.
Services will be held at McDoel Baptist Church on Wednesday, April 9, at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Harold Carter presiding. Viewing hours will be from noon till the time of the service at the church.
Day Funeral Home in Bloomington is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be given at www.mem.com.
Bloomington Times Herald 04/11/2008
They say when God closes a door, he opens a window, and he did just that for Carrie Ray, a woman of deep faith who was devastated when her husband, David, died in 1971.
They had met on a blind date. She was young and unsure of herself. "She said the first time she saw him he looked like he was going to be too good for me," said her son, longtime Bloomington physician Dr. James Ray. "They dated probably a year and then eloped when she was only 15. Dad was five years older than Mom. They were married 35 years before he died."
They had three sons - David, James and Dan - and emphasized family values. "We sat down at night to have dinner together," James said, "we had family devotions, we just had a strong sense of family."
And Carrie and her husband were homebodies. When he died, it was hard hearing that door close with such family.
But a week after David's death, a window opened.James was established in his practice and offered his mother a job as receptionist at his office. She accepted and it helped her cope with her grief.
"The job really meant a lot to her," said her son, Dan. "She needed to be around people at that point in her life. I thought she really demonstrated how to handle grief when she lost my dad. Initially, I really was fearful she would never be happy again, and it's true she never really got over his loss. But it also was the start of a new phase of her life when she went to work."
Carrie and the job seemed to be a perfect match. She was friendly, courteous and understanding, just what patients needed, although that sometimes meant busy workdays for Dr. Ray. "Sometimes she booked me so heavy I had trouble keeping up," he said laughing. "She had trouble turning people down. But the patients loved that. If they called and talked with Mom, they knew they could get in."
Other aspects of her life changed as well. She became more active in her church, McDoel Baptist, where she sang in the choir and performed in the bell choir.
She liked all kinds of music. She and Dan became close after David's death, Dan was 18 when he lost his father. "She and I were mother and son but we were friends too, and found we shared a lot of common interests," he said.
One of those common interests was music. Carrie even came to appreciate the music of the Beatles and Bob Dylan. "I remember she was listening to the radio and said, 'That's Jimi Hendrix, isn't it?' and it was," Dan said. "It was just typical of her child-like kind of openness to new things."
She got involved with the Older American Center and learned to dance. "She learned a lot of dances there and liked to demonstrate them to the family," Dan said. "She'd teach me the latest steps or her grandkids."
Once a stay-at-home type, Carrie joined groups that traveled, even taking trips to Europe.
"She did things she never did before. Her whole life changed," James said.
She became active in working with the youth group and ministering to international students.
Carrie worked more than 20 years for her son, retiring from her job in the early 1990s.
She struggled with serious health issues later in life but was never one to complain.
She died Sunday at the age of 88.
Her children are comforted by the thought that their parents, separated for so long, are now together again.
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