Olive 's Obituary
Olive Mae Ray, daughter of Benjamin H. and Nancy Emma Jones Davis, was born July 22, 1923, in Lebanon, Missouri. She departed this life Friday, April 3, 2009, in St. John’s Hospital, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of eighty-five years, eight months, and eleven days. On May 1, 1953, she was united in marriage to William Latham Ray, and to this union two daughters and four sons were born. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, William, on October 1, 2005; two sons, James Dale and Milton Curtis Ray; a son-in-law, James Keith Lafferty; a brother, Clyde; and three sisters, Marie, Elizabeth, and Ruth. Olive is survived by two daughters, Trish McGuire, and her husband, Jerry, of Lebanon, Missouri, and Susie Urrutia, of Gloucester, Virginia; two sons, John Andrew Ray, and his wife, Linda, of Jackson, Mississippi, and William Ray, Jr., and his wife, Sharrie, of Raymondville, Missouri; ten grandchildren, Becky Ray, and her fiancé, Chris Tharp, Shane Keith Lafferty, and his wife, Lindsay, Josh Ray, and his wife, Sara, H .B. Urrutia, III, Amanda, Johnny, Daphne, Ronnie, Billy and Christie Ray; two great-grandchildren, and one eagerly anticipated great-grandchild; a step-sister, Verba Stewart, of Delhi, California; several nieces and nephews, including a special niece, Letha Uder, and her husband, Mike, of Lebanon, Missouri; as well as a host of other relatives and friends. She was born and raised in the Lebanon, Missouri area. After she and William were married, they made their home in various locations while William served in the United States Army. Upon William’s retiring from the military, the family made their home in Jackson, Mississippi for nine years before moving to Lebanon, Missouri, in 1970. Throughout her life, Olive was always a devoted homemaker and loving mother to her family. Olive had made her profession of faith in Christ and had attended the Mission Freewill Baptist Church and the Antioch Baptist Church. In her spare time she enjoyed reading, shopping, and spending time with her family. Some of her happiest moments were spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who lovingly called her “A”. Olive was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and will cherish the wonderful memories she created for her family and friends. Services will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday April 7, 2009 at the Holman- Howe Funeral Home Lebanon. Burial will be in the Lebanon Cemetery. Visitation is Monday evening 7-8:30 pm under the direction of the Holman- Howe Funeral Home Lebanon, Missouri. A memorial has been established to the Gideion Bible Ministrey. Donations may be made through the funeral home. Return to top
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