Mary Elizabeth Ray

She was a homemaker.

Mrs. Ray was a member of Sunrise Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School for a number of years.

She was born on January 9, 1924 to Olive “Ollie” Overbay and John F. McNeeley in Campbell County, Tennessee. Her family moved to the Shawanee Community, Tennessee in Claiborne County at an early age. She married Sisle B. Ray on August 26, 1942 and remained in Claiborne County until 1964 when her family moved to Greeneville, Tennessee. Throughout her life, she was a lover of Southern Gospel music and sang with her family quartet and traveled singing at different churches. She especially loved singing with her youngest son, Kenny. She accepted the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ into her heart at an early age and never failed to share his love with others. She exhibited the fruits of the spirit, which are love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, and especially faith.

Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law: Jim and Mickey Ray of Chattanooga, David M. and Pat Ray of Speedwell, Tennessee, William Allen Ray of Greeneville, Kenneth L. and Debbie Ray of Greeneville; daughters and sons-in-law: Carolyn and Lloyd Seaton and Cindy and Stephen Collins of Mosheim; grandchildren: Starla Ray of Harrogate, Alan Ray and wife, Denise, of Ooltewah, Vanessa Ray of Knoxville, Kendra Ray of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Madison Ray, Shane Ray, and Beth Ann and Eric Anderson of Greeneville, Rachel and Kurt Peladeau of Smyrna, Tennessee, Nolan Collins of Johnson City, Dr. Cole and Lyndsey Seaton of Knoxville, and Christopher and Priscilla Seaton of Knoxville; six great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; sister-in-law: Zelma Robison; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Sisle Ray; her parents, John and Olive McNeeley; her brothers: Everett “Mac” McNeeley and Maynard “Doc” McNeeley; and her sister: Pearl McNeeley Willoughby.

The family will receive friends from 4pm -8pm Tuesday at Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home in Greeneville.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Roy Mullins and Rev. Stewart Fultz officiating.

Interment will be at 4:00 pm Wednesday in Burchett Cemetery in the Forge Ridge community of Claiborne County at 961 Wheeler Road. Family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery at 4:00 pm Wednesday for the graveside service.

Pallbearers will be Alan Ray, Davey Gibbs, Dr. Cole Seaton, Nolan Collins, Eric Anderson, and Kurt Peladeau.

Honorary pallbearers are Amedisys Hospice nurses, Dr. John Shaw, her caregivers: Dawn Seth and Sheila Harrison, and her Sunday School Class at Sunrise Baptist.

Memorial contributions may be made for the maintenance of Burchett Cemetery, 568 Wheeler Road, Harrogate, TN 37752.