Louise Ray Obituary

THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME AT A TIME WHEN I DID NOT WANT TO LIVE FI\OR DRIVING ME AROUND UN THAT MAZDA
I ONLY HEARD LAST WEEK
SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE MT SISYER
JANE PITTS GREER MSW

TO MY FRIEND MRS. RAY, MOTHER DAY IS TOMORROW AND I JUST WANT TO SAY I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU.

What else is there to say? Her work has said it all. Mrs.Ray is a lasting legacy in the community. It is most wonderful knowing she is now with our Saviour. God bless the family and prayers are with you in this trying time.

Remember

Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you plann'd:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.

By Christina Rossetti
The Poetry Foundation

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

To Johnny & Family:

Your guarding angel is watching from above now and praising God for the beautiful relationships she held with each and everyone of you.

With Love and Prayers

Felinda Holmes

To the Ray family Mrs. Ray was loved by many near and far. My prayers go out to the family trust in god he will see you through. Her memories will live on forever.

As a fellow community worker I appreciated all of the important work Louse did. She will be missing.
Kathleen Farrell

I hardly know where to began. I have known you and your family my whole life and we have been there to comfort each other through all our ups and downs. I can still hear your voice saying "Punkin I am so proud of you, you have done good." What we fail to realize here on Earth is that God sends us special angels to help us through our lives and many times those angel's go unrecognized by the naked eye. I am so glad I was able to have you in my life and to be able to talk to you about pretty much anything.

One thing your family can count on is that you were a "Joliet Hero" in many eyes. You taught the weak to be storng and the strong to be humble and that alone takes a special kind of person. You had many unfortunate events, but you turned it around and took back your community...literally. You not only Talked the Talk, but you Walked the Walk jus as well. I am sure many will agree that you will never be forgotten in many eyes and that if we learn anything learn to keep your legacy strong! Whoever decides to step in must know they have some great shoes to feel, because Mrs. Ray was not just over the Center...She took the time to learn the people in the Center. To the Grand-Mother, Mother, Sister, Aunt, Friend and all out Care-Giver...I Love You and Will Miss You Dearly!

Roy and Mel,
The entire community shares in your sorrow but let us not forget that she was your one and only "Momma Ray". Thank your for sharing this incredible woman with us.

Ms Ray, you will be missed dearly, you helped me and alot of others to get ours lives together to be MEN", My prayers go out to the family who is in grief.

May God be with you in your time of of deepest sorrow. Your mother was very inspirational and such a perfect role model. She was more than a community activist. She was not a pretender. She was an ender of social ills and injustices with tiredless effort.

To My Other Family: Words cannot express the pain I feel at this time. Especially knowing that it fades in comparison to your hurt. For more than 30 years we have went through tests, trials and tribulations. But you know what Ma would say about that--> ' Don't give the devil NO glory, cause OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD!' Dad, Bay, Johnny and Roy there is so much in my heart that I need to say but don't know how. But what's understood need not be spoken. Reflect on the good times like when we sat around laughing and talking just a couple of weeks ago. Those times will keep her in our hearts FOREVER!! I love you all. Be Blessed and Breathe Life!

To Johnny Ray and Family:
My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
I am beyond shock to hear of Louise's passing.
Remember "Life is a journey, not a destination".
The memories of Louise will remain a constant.
Louise gave so much to so many.
Rejoice in the memories and the legacy that she leaves for all of us.
Johnny Ray, you, Donald, Reg and Steve, the brothers four.
YOU are not alone.
My heart goes out to you at this time and in the days ahead.
Stay strong.
Peace and Love
Mom # 2

To Roy&families may god bless and keep you in his arms. Hold on to the memories. Stay strong roy.

Mrs Ray you will be missed so much by all of us.. You were always around when we needed, you no matter if we were your sons or not... I will always keep you and yours son in my prays.

To the RAY Family,

Although we briefly met, I was taken with Mrs. Ray. She had such a beautiful smile and an out-going personality. Whenever her name is mentioned, only high praises are given to describe her. Her homegoing is a tremendous loss to us all. She will certainly be greatly missed.

To The Family
Thank you for sharing your wife and mother with us. She fought a hard and tireless fight. Her victories outnumber her defeats. Stories of her will live on. She will be missed and cherished in our memory.

Heavenly Father, I ask You to give the Ray Family an expedient manifestation of Your healing according to John 16:23. Your Word says that we are to rejoice with those who rejoice and to weep with those who weep. I pray that my love will give the Ray family comfort, joy and encouragement in Jesus Christ's Holy Name. A true Community Activist that will be missed. Not many can fill her shoes.

To My Other Family: I will never be able to express the pain and sorrow that I feel now. Especially in knowing that it fades in comparison to your hurting. For more than 30 years, we've been through so much together. Tests, trials and tribulations. But you know what Ma would say--> 'Don't give the devil NO glory, 'cause OUR GOD is an AWESOME GOD!' There is so much that is in my heart, but what's understood never needs to be spoken. Dad, Roy, Johnny and Bay, I love you all. Remember the laughs and the good time we had just a couple of weeks ago. Reflecting on times like that will forever make us smile and keep her close to us.

Junior & Sons,
I am so sorry for your loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Find comfort in knowing that Louise is no longer suffering and she is now with Willie and Tony. I'm sure Tony has already asked her to make some of that fried chicken he always told me about!

TO MRS. RAY, MY ANGEL & MY FRIEND. GROWING UP WITH YOU IN MY LIFE IS TRULY A BLESSING. I AM SOME WHAT SADDENED BECAUSE I WILL NO LONGER HAVE YOU HERE TO GO GARAGE SALING, HAVING OUR EVERY MORNING TALKS AND MOST OF ALL YOU COMING BLOWING YOUR HORN WAKING ME UP AT THE SAME TIME EVERY WEEK DAY. I WILL REMEMBER EVERYTHING YOU SAID TO ME. THIS IS A TIME FOR JOY BECAUSE YOU ARE IN A BETTER PLACE (PARADISE, THE PLACE YOU CONSTANTLY SPOKE ABOUT). I LOVE YOU MS. RAY AND THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF MY LIFE.

The Ray Family, We are also sorry about your loss of Louise... We will remember you all in your time of loss, and the tie that we have with your family.... Please find Peace and remember the best of times with Wife and mother..

To the Ray Family may God Bless and
keep you in peace, there's no sorrow
God can't heal.

" John 14"

God bless the Ray Family

Johnny, Junior and Family,

I'll speak for all of us at Drexler Horse Vans, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

To Roy, Johnny, Junior, and the entire Ray family: I pray that some of these words will comfort you as you grieve the passing of your dear loved one. For 66 years, Louise was a BLESSING IN COUNTLESS WAYS - whether it was as a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, relative, or simply friend - and worked tirelessly to help those who were less fortunate. I believe that ALMIGHTY GOD looked down and saw that his lovely warrior (Mrs. Ray) was battle-weary, and decided that she needed a much-deserved rest. I am glad that I got to know her and truly honored that she considered me her friend. My memories of her will remain forever. Indeed, she was a R A Y of sunshine. In reference to Mrs. Ray..... Earth's loss is certainly Heaven's gain.

I knew Louise for about 17 years because she always called me when something happened in the community and kept me informed. I recently retired from the Dept. of Justice and I can honestly say that Louise was a very caring and hard working person. She dedicated her life to helping youth and community. I will miss visiting her at Forest Park Community Center and her warm smile. Know that she is in the thoughts of others who share the family's loss and pain. My sincere condolences.

My Deepest Sympathy to you all, as you grieve the loss of one loved by many. May God give you Comfort and Peace. You are all in my heart....

Johnny In your time of saddness,im sending my deepest sympathy & love to you and your family.

To the Ray Family,
My prayers go out to all of you. Mrs.Ray always called me her daughter and she always treated just like that, I sure will miss her and her beautiful smile and the nicest personility anyone could possilbly have. May God heal hearts and ease the pain, Mrs. Ray will be greatly missed but never forgotten by me and alot others,because she touched everybody in ever special way.

We didn't know Mrs. Ray long, but in that short time we grew to really love & appreciate her. She had a way of making you laugh while she was helping you get through whatever you had to go through.

The loss of someone so close is difficult to bear. We share your grief.

I never met Mrs. Ray, but had always heard her name and about the work she did with the youth of the city. I am sorry for this loss to your family and to the community.

Mrs. Ray was a wonderful person she will be missed.

TO ROY, JOHNNY AND FAMILIES, MAY THE LORD WATCH OVER YOU AT YOUR TIME OF NEED. FOR HE HAS AN ANGEL WITH HIM THAT WE ALL LOVED AND WILL SO DEARLY MISS. FOR SHE WAS A PERSON THAT ANYONE COULD TALK TO ABOUT ANYTHING AND SHE WOULD TRY HER BEST TO HELP. THAT TYPE OF SOUL NEVER LEAVES JUST INVEST ITSELF INTO ANOTHER ADVENTURE. ROY YOU AND JOHNNY HAVE BEEN BLESSED SO PLEASE TAKE SOME TIME BETWEEN THE SADNESS TO LOOK UP AND SMILE FOR WE ALL KNOW THAT MOMMA RAY WILL BE SMILING BACK AT YOU. (SO FOREVER BE BLESSED) AND TAKE CARE.

To the Ray Family : We're sorry for your loss, we will continue to Pray for you , and your Family.
Sincerely. Randy & Cynthia Sylvia

To the family of Louis Ray, I thank you very much for sharing such a wonderful mother, wife and friend with us. She was a ray of sunshine in the darkness of days. I will always remember my last minutes with her Friday evening at your home and the things she said, "Michael, I am proud of you and remember always to work as a team with your wife." I take that to heart. Your mother is in our hearts. Thanks again for sharing your mother.

To the family,
Be strong,and led her go. She no longer suffers,so cry tiers of joy,
just knowing that you will see Her
again soon.

LARITA WOODS

To the Family: Words cannot express how deeply sorry I am for your loss. I will remember her kindness and thoughtfulness and I will keep Mrs. Ray's memories in my heart, reminding me of how life should be lived. With love and sympathy,

To the Ray family, I am truly sorry to hear about your loss. Joliet has truly lost a warrior and mentor to the community. May God bless you during this time.

Roy, Johnny, Small: My deepest and sincere sympathies on the passing of your mother, and grandmother. Now you have three guardian angels watching over you! Celebrate her life and cherish the memories. Your family will be in my prayers granting you peace and solace during this time of sorrow!

Willie and Family,
While no words can ease the loss of your loved one, just know that you are close in our thoughts and prayers. May the love and support from your friends and family guide you through this difficult time.
Peace & Blessings,

Our dearly beloved east side icon, Louise Ray will sorely be missed by all. Our Father has his reason's for resting her from all her labors of love, and I hope and pray her torch stay's lit in her beloved Forest Park community. God bless the family and friend's.

You are in my thoughts and prayers and may GOD bless you and keep you through this difficult time.

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

You will always live in our hearts and prayers.

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

We send our prayers to the Ray family on this saddest of times. May her dreams and wishes live on for years to come.

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Junior & Family,
I am sadden and sorry to hear of Louise's passing. As I write this, I think about all the long chats we used to have sitting out on the steps at your house - talking about nothing in particular but laughing and having a good time. You too should take comfort in your memories.

You are in my thoughts and prayers and may GOD bless you and keep you through this difficult time.

Blessed be the great woman who led the young girls in the community.

Dear Ray Family,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your loved one Louise. Her kindness and goodwill towards others will be remembered by many. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

To the Ray Family,
Even though you feel a great hurt and a great loss because your loved one has been taken away from you, yet you know that now she is with our Savior in heaven.
Her soul is in heaven enjoying the blessings and glory that is in store for all believers. On the day that Christ returns she will be raised and reunited with her soul in heaven.
Today is a sad time for we are saddened by the loss of our loved one. But do not grieve as those who have no hope – rejoice because Mama Ray is now enjoying the promise God made to her.
“Be faithful unto death and I will give you a crown of life.”
May you find comfort, peace of mind and spirit in all of God’s promises.

God blessed her with a beautiful spirit, a loving, kind, and warm heart, who would treat everyone as if they were family.
My Deepest Condolences

To the Ray family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in these trying times. Always remember the wonderful things that Mrs. Ray accomplished and the positive influence she provided for the community and its citizens.
God bless you.

You have a special guardian angel to watch over you in Momma Ray. Stay strong family! God Bless. From Aaron of 17th Floor and family.

dear rayfamilyI want you to know your mother will be miss she was my friend so to you I say keep on praying and god will take care of you

To the Ray and Smith family
I'm very sorry for your lost, but God has a precious angel now, she has been heaven sent every since I met her when I was just a lil girl, Moma Ray was and inspiration to all that knew her from the hill and far off, none of us will forget her, that really knew who she was and what she did in our lives, she provided much prayer for the ones that didn't know what pray was, even when she was going through her test and trials of her own life. I will really miss that smile and her direct rebuke, but someone had to do it, so I'm really glad I was apart of her blessing to people in our neighborhood, so thank you for letting us be apart of you mother and wife life. With Love Pam Smith

Junior, Johnny & Family
We're so very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

To Roy and Family,
May God bless you in your time of sorrow. Know that Ms. Ray was a special woman and touched the lives of many in such a wonderful and harmonious way. She will be missed!!!

My heart is with the family and trust in god that he will comfort you in this time of need.

The loss of someone so close is difficult to bear. We share your grief.

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2009

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Roy and Mel,
I am so sorry for your loss. I read about your mom and what a great and vast legacy she leaves behind. She obviously was a great force in the Joliet area. I wish I had known her. May God grant you peace.

Be Still

Be still like the grass on a melancholy summer day
Be still like desert shrub.

Be calm and you will hear your loved one speak, in the stillness, in the calm, their love resounds.

If you are still this promise I make, you will hear the voice of your loved one helping you along your way.

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

To Johnnie Ray and Family, I just wanted to let you know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Your mom was a wonderful and caring person who will be deeply missed.

To Roy Smith and Junior Ray and family. Sorry for your loss, God bless you during your time of sorrow.

Junior. I am so sorry to hear about Louise. I send my prayers to you and the family.

To the Ray and Smith family I am deeply moved by the passing of Mother Louise Ray I hope you all find peace in her resting. I can only imagen the sorrow you all feel when a mother has passed on from this life to the next the last few time I spoke with her and visit with her she stated that her Salvation was in the LORD JESUS CHRIST. So with that in mind she is Happely glorifying our maker no sickness no pain no sorrow and to you all may the LORD GOD grant you peace in the time of your storms put your trust and faith in him and pray and he will comfort you all we love you.

Dear Family,
Mama Ray will surely be missed by all the lives she has touched. I am very grateful to you all for sharing her with us. Heaven is truly rejoicing and so are we.
Love you all and God Bless!

Dear Junior, and Sons:
I am very very sorry to hear of the loss of Louise, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many. As someone who has known your family for many moons, I can safely say that Louise's suffering is over and she is now happy to be with Willie & Tony, for whom she was grieving so deeply.

Junior and family,

We take comfort in the memories and lives Lou touched over the years. Sylvia and I share in your loss and we will keep the family in our thoughts and prayers.

To The Ray family:
Never has one woman done so much for so many!
Louise you will live on in our hearts,and our thoughts.
Isiah"IKE"Williams Jr. San Jose Ca.

To the Ray Family: My deepest sympathy to the family for their loss. God is your Hope in time of need. I pray you find comfort and peace with one another. My sincere blessings to Mr. Ray and his sons.

My deepest and heartfelt sympathies for your loss. May your memories bring you comfort and your rememberance of Louise will be her immortality.

Remember

Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you plann'd:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.

By Christina Rossetti
The Poetry Foundation

Johnny,
Louise was one of our many loyal customers and she was a pleasure to know and have in our lives. We are proud to know Louise is watching over all of the people she reached out to. We will sincerly miss her and remember her always in our hearts. May gold bless you and your family.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

We were so sorry to hear of your loss. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help at this time.

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Mrs. Ray was a wonderful human being and always showed my family and I true kindness and genuine love. I wish more people aspired to be like her...she will be missed.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

So sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. She was a great lady.

May god be your peace. Mrs. Ray was a great person she will be missed here. But you have comfort in knowing how many kids she help and her legacy will live on. God Bless you all!

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

My condolences goes out to the Ray family your mom was a wonderful person and she always helped anyone who needed help. She truly was a soldier on the battle field. She will be missed.

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Dear Roy and Mel,
Vicki and I were so saddened to hear of the loss of your mother. She had to be a wondeful lady to have such a careing wonderful son like you and daughter-in-law like Mel. Our prays and thoughts are with you now and forever.
Love
Terry

Ray & Taylor Family, We are so sorry to hear of you loss, Ms.Ray was a very strong minded person and loved her family and everyone she met.She will be dearly missed my her loved ones and the Joliet Community!