Janice A Ray

Janice Arlene Ray, born November 6th 1958 in Houston, Texas, passed away on March 31st 2023. In Benton, Arkansas. She was one of three children born to Cleo Jacobs and James Ray. Her brother Robert passed in 1985, but Janice is survived by her sister Carolyn Beaty. Janice was a mother to three sons, James Moore, Michael Hafferty, and Nathaniel Hafferty.

Janice was a very community-based person. She felt she had been blessed by so many in the community that she had to pay it back. She worked as a health educator for the state of Arkansas, covering Saline, Grant, and Hot Springs counties. Her work with the coalitions of health departments in these counties continued after she was no longer able to work full time. She also was a cubmaster for pack 36 in Bauxite, as well as a District leader in the Quapaw District of the boy scouts. She is holder of several awards including the lifetime achievement award. She was also a substitute teacher in the Bauxite school district, a dispatch operator for the state police, and volunteer at local town events.

As deveoted as she was to the community, Janice was fiercely devoted to her church, First Presbyterian in Benton. She has stated many times that when she moved to Arkansas it was the first place that felt like home. She was a member for over 30 years. She was known to be found covering the nursery, volunteering for youth trips, serving as a deacon as well as being a member of various committees over the years.

Janice was a woman who was described once as the definition of humble. She had a strength that shown through to anyone who knew her, but she always felt she was lacking. There is no person she would not have helped and would never have expected anything in return. While her health failed her towards the end of her life, she never stopped trying to reach that one more person that she felt needed a helping hand.

More importantly than all the work to her credit, Janice’s favorite thing was her family, especially being Nawnee to 8 grandchildren. Every one of them was her special angel and she took every opportunity to remind them of that.

Those left to cherish the memory of Janice Ray are: James and Nicole Moore and their children Kenton, Kael, Sawyer, and Madylinn. Michael Hafferty and his children Ryliegh and Jaxson. Nathaniel and Kesha Hafferty and their children Miss Ellie and Sir Declan. Her sister Carolyn Beaty, her niece Stephanie Davidson and her family Robert, Brianna, Cameron, and Xander, and her nephew Matthew Beaty.

Visitation with the Family will be held on April 10th from 6-8 pm at Pinecrest Funeral Home. The funeral will be held on April 11th at 10 am at the First Presbyterian Church in Benton, Arkansas. The funeral will be followed by her internment at Forest Hills Memorial Park.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pinecrestfh.com for the Ray family.