Marie Ray

BENTON, Mo. -- Essie Marie Ray, 81, of Benton died Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2006, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

She was born April 15, 1925, at East Prairie, Mo., daughter of John and Ethel Woods Buttery. She and Auda Cecil "AC" Ray were married Sept. 3, 1939, in New Madrid, Mo. He died May 11, 1996.

Ray was a member of Unity Baptist Church.

Survivors include five sons, Herman Ray of Olive Branch, Ill., Dale Ray of Lilbourn, Mo., Bruce and Danny Ray of Benton, Lynn Ray of Sikeston, Mo.; 25 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by three daughters, a brother, three sisters and a grandson.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the chapel, with the Revs. Dale Huff and Dennis Lowes officiating. A committal service will follow at Dogwood Cemetery at Dogwood, Mo., with the Rev. Larry Davis officiating.