Lydia Roena (Griggs) Ray

On April 28, 1914, she was united in marriage to Willis J. Ray, and since that time, she and her husband have resided in Wilmore.

At an early age, she heard the call of her Lord and Savior, was converted and became a member of the Christian Church. Shortly after her marriage, she joined the Wilmore Baptist Church of which her husband was a member, believing that they could best serve their Master by both working in the same church. From the time of her conversion, she was faithful to her calling as a Christian. For a number of years, she was teacher of the Loyal Sisters class in the Wilmore Baptist Sunday School, and for some time was president of the Wilmore Mission Circle. She was active in the work of the church until failing health made it necessary for her to give up the more active part of her work, but even in her last illness, she did not lose interest in her Master's work and worship, and it was her greatest pleasure to attend divine services in the Lord's house. Truly, she could say with the psalmist: "I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the "house of The Lord."

She was a faithful and loving wife, a true friend, and it was one of her pleasures of life to make others comfortable and happy.

Mrs. Ray was a life member of the Grace Chapter of the Eastern star.

She leaves to mourn her loss, her husband and family; one brother, Frank Griggs of Des Moines, Iowa; a number of nieces and nephews and a host of friends. Two sisters and two brothers preceded her in death, they being Mrs. Emeline Emery, Mrs. Mattie Davis, Samuel and Charles Griggs.

Funeral services were conducted at the Baptist Church, Sunday afternoon at one-thirty, Rev. J.P. Woods of the local church in charge, assisted by Rev. Willis and Rev. Safford of Coldwater. Music was furnished by a mixed quartet, consisting of Mrs. H. Manahan, Mrs. Perry Wall, Mr. L.E. Baker and Mr. Alvah York, accompanied by Miss Frances Pepperd.

The active pall bearers were the Messers. Walter, Silas, Chas. G. Emery and Arthur Ray and Lester Fry. Honorary pallbearers were the Mesdames C.O. Masterson, T.C. Pepperd, Bruce Snare, Geo. T. Brown, Geo. Kennedy and Miss Wilma Waters.

Interment was in the Crown Hill cemetery at Coldwater.

Mr. W.J. Ray of Wilmore, Comanche County, Kansas,
with his 37 inch long parsnip.
Photo by John Edward Schrock,
courtesy of Janet (Schrock) Hubbard.

Also see:

Margueritte Alverna (Emery) Ray, 2nd wife of Willis J. Ray.

Willis Jackson Ray, husband of Lydia (Griggs) Ray.

Thanks to Shirley Brier for transcribing and contributing the above obituary!

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This page was created 23 Jan 2004 and was last updated 23 Sept 2006.