Laura Jean Ray

In 1957, her parents moved the family to Decatur, GA, where she lived out her childhood and later became a star basketball player while attending Avondale High School. Laura then enrolled at the University of Georgia in Athens which is where she met her former spouse, Barry Ray. After marrying, they moved to Evansville, Indiana and she completed her Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast-Journalism at the University of Evansville.

At the start of her career, Laura became a television reporter for WEHT-Channel 25 and then began her work in Sales and Marketing. Soon after, the family of two grew into a family of four with the addition of two daughters, Whitney Ray Scott and Emily Marie Ray.

In 1990, Laura moved back to her hometown, Decatur, GA, where she continued her career and raising Whitney and Emily. During this time, she set the standard on how to be both a hard-working business professional and a devoted mother.

Everyone knew Laura for her intelligence and go-getter personality, as well as her ability to bring warmth and humor into any situation. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends and traveling to the beach or mountains, but most of all, she was a loving, caring mother who would do anything for her girls. Laura’s strength and beauty will never be forgotten, nor will her kind nature, life-of-the-party character, and famous laugh.

We miss her dearly, but will always have her with us in the love we share, and in the precious memories we created together.

Laura is preceded in death by her parents, Geraldine McCrary Gottfried (2014) and Lawrence George Gottfried (2010).

Laura is survived by her daughters, Whitney Scott (John) and Emily Ray (Ben Bove); two grandsons, Wyatt Scott and Waylon Scott; four sisters, Linda Gottfried (Tom Barba), Susan Standley (Will), Janet Larsen (Mike), and Terry Fontaine; three nieces, Susan Barba, Julia Larsen, and Anna Fontaine; and two nephews, Matthew Barba (Kaitlyn), Bill Standley (Jamie), and Stephen Larsen.

A private Memorial Service will be held.