Thelma Lucille Ray, 93, of Monroe passed away at Hampton Manor on September 25, 2024. She had been in declining health for the last year.
Friends may call from 2-6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 at Bacarella Funeral Home. She will lie instate from 10 until services at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 30 also at Bacarella Funeral Home. The Rev. Larry Head, pastor of Lakeside Missionary Baptist Church will officiate. Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Park, LaSalle.
Born February 22, 1931, in Harrogate, Tenn., she was the daughter of Franklin R. and Nola M. (Williams) Gilbert. She married her high school sweetheart, Oran Laford Ray, on Oct. 8, 1950 in Harrogate; the Rev. U.T. Lingar officiated. They were happily and lovingly married for 52 wonderful years together before Oran's passing on Aug. 7, 2003.
A 1949 graduate of Forge Ridge High School of Harrogate, she was a cheerleader while Oran played basketball. Once married, the couple moved to Monroe where they raised a family. Thelma was a dedicated homemaker before going to work at Hurd Road Elementary (Jefferson Schools) as a 2nd grade teacher's aide for 23 years before retiring in 1988. In her retirement, she enjoyed cooking, baking, canning/freezing fresh produce from the garden her husband and son-in-law grew, sewing with her daughter, and spending time with her family. Most of all, she looked forward to her and Oran's month-long anniversary vacations to Hawaii.
Thelma was a member of the Order of Eastern Star Chapter 22 of Monroe and an active former member at Monroe Missionary Baptist Church and former charter member of Liberty Missionary Baptist Church.
Surviving Thelma is her daughter, Jane S. (Kenneth) Corne of Ida; son, William F. Ray of Fishers, IN; granddaughters Kayla J. (Justin) Saneholtz of Monroe and Emily P. (Andrew) Ferrara of McCordsville, IN; two great-granddaughters and another great-granddaughter on the way; siblings Marvin (Cathy) Gilbert and Bobbie (JC) Burke.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a son, Daniel L. Ray on Jan. 12, 1977, and siblings Edith Brooks, Opal Sandefur, Geneva Shackelford, Roy Gilbert, Harry Gilbert, Burton Gilbert, Itha Bea Monday, and Frankie Crawford.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Great Strides-Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or Shriners Children's Hospital.
Special thanks for the love, care, and compassion that Hampton Manor Assisted Living of Dundee along with Compassionate Hospice Care staff provided to her. It did not go unnoticed by the family and appreciate all you did for her, especially when she needed it the most.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary page at www.bacarellafuneralhome.com .