Retha Ray NEW YORK, New York Obituary

Retha Ray

Aheart of gold stopped beating, two shining eyes are at rest. Our hearts were broken when God called Retha Mae Ray to her heavenly home on June 14, 2017. Through her love, beauty and dedication to her children, grandchildren, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends. Retha Mae Ray left a store box of memories that will never be forgotten. On June 14, 2017 God called his angel Retha Mae Ray to here heavenly home. Retha Mae Ray was born on December 4, 1935, to Enoch and Josephine Fullard in Florence, South Carolina. She was the third of nine children. Retha was educated in the schools of South Carolina. During the great migration when African-Americans were seeking better opportunities and an alternative to the severity of Jim Crow, Retha packed her bags and moved to New York City. In New York, a family member introduced her to her future husband, Julius P. Ray, from that union they had five children. As Retha raised her children in NYC, she naturally became the “ROCK” of the entire family. Her home became the central location where friends and family would gather during holidays and special moments throughout the years. She was the glue that held the entire family together. Her life in New York was filled with love and dedication to her family, anyone in need and most importantly the passion she held for Christ. Retha worked as a health aid for People Care for 20 years and since the 1970’s Retha served Convent Avenue Baptist Church as a member of the Senior Usher Board and the Appreciation Club. Retha was a beloved member of the Community, lived a great life full service to others and was loved by many people as a mother and grandmother. She never hesitated to be a source of comfort, protection, faith, and love to all that she met including her church family, community neighbors and family and friends near and far. Her faith in the Lord was shown by how much she loved others and how much others loved her. Retha was preceded in death by Her Husband Julius P. Ray, her sisters Lillian and Annie. Retha leaves to cherish her loving memories her (children) Linda, Julius Jr., Jacquline, Kenneth and Vivian, (grandchildren) Raymond, Emerald, Raenelle, Irvan, five great grandchildren, (sisters) Dorothy, Henrietta, Ernestine , Eloise (Brothers) Willie and Enoch Jr. a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Retha family will surely miss the love and warmth she showered down on them. No one will be able to duplicate her cooking and we’ll surely miss her collard greens, potato salad, and corn bread. Her life was a blessing and gift to us all. She left behind a great example of how to live a life of service, love and a strong constant faith in God. She will be missed by all who knew her and who were touch by her.
December 4, 1935 - June 14, 201712/04/193506/14/2017
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Obituary

Aheart of gold stopped beating, two shining eyes are at rest. Our hearts were broken when God called Retha Mae Ray to her heavenly home on June 14, 2017. Through her love, beauty and dedication to her children, grandchildren, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends. Retha Mae Ray left a store box of memories that will never be forgotten. On June 14, 2017 God called his angel Retha Mae Ray to here heavenly home. Retha Mae Ray was born on December 4, 1935, to Enoch and Josephine Fullard in Florence, South Carolina. She was the third of nine children. Retha was educated in the schools of South Carolina. During the great migration when African-Americans were seeking better opportunities and an alternative to the severity of Jim Crow, Retha packed her bags and moved to New York City. In New York, a family member introduced her to her future husband, Julius P. Ray, from that union they had five children. As Retha raised her children in NYC, she naturally became the “ROCK” of the entire family. Her home became the central location where friends and family would gather during holidays and special moments throughout the years. She was the glue that held the entire family together. Her life in New York was filled with love and dedication to her family, anyone in need and most importantly the passion she held for Christ. Retha worked as a health aid for People Care for 20 years and since the 1970’s Retha served Convent Avenue Baptist Church as a member of the Senior Usher Board and the Appreciation Club. Retha was a beloved member of the Community, lived a great life full service to others and was loved by many people as a mother and grandmother. She never hesitated to be a source of comfort, protection, faith, and love to all that she met including her church family, community neighbors and family and friends near and far. Her faith in the Lord was shown by how much she loved others and how much others loved her. Retha was preceded in death by Her Husband Julius P. Ray, her sisters Lillian and Annie. Retha leaves to cherish her loving memories her (children) Linda, Julius Jr., Jacquline, Kenneth and Vivian, (grandchildren) Raymond, Emerald, Raenelle, Irvan, five great grandchildren, (sisters) Dorothy, Henrietta, Ernestine , Eloise (Brothers) Willie and Enoch Jr. a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Retha family will surely miss the love and warmth she showered down on them. No one will be able to duplicate her cooking and we’ll surely miss her collard greens, potato salad, and corn bread. Her life was a blessing and gift to us all. She left behind a great example of how to live a life of service, love and a strong constant faith in God. She will be missed by all who knew her and who were touch by her.

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Events

Jun
22
Service
Thursday, June 22 2017
02:00 PM
Convent Avenue Bapist Church
420 W. 145th Street
NEW YORK, NY 10030
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