Mother Thelma Mae Ray

Thelma Jones Ray was born April 15, 1927 in Jacksonville, Florida to Emma Lee Moore Jones and Ollie H. Jones, Sr. Mrs. Ray started school at Douglas Anderson and matriculated to Stanton Senior High School where she received her high school diploma. She attended Walker Business College for Colored in Jacksonville, Florida majoring in Nursing Science. She received a Practical Nursing Diploma. She was a life-long resident of Duval County. Mrs. Ray was employed by UF Health Jacksonville for 36 years. She worked in numerous Nursing Service Departments including Pediatrics Nursing and the Obstetrics Gynecology OutPatient Clinic. After her retirement, she was employed by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office for 15 years as a School Crossing Guard for Pine Forest Elementary School.

Thelma Jones Ray received Christ at an early age and joined Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church at 9 years of age.  She was a devoted and faithful member of Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church for 86 years. Serving in many capacities, she was President of the Deaconess Board and member of the Women’s Ministry and Missionary Ministry. She was a former Choir Member and Former Sunday School Teacher for the “Seekers of Truth” class.

She was a member of several community organizations. Mrs. Ray was the first elected President of Pine Forest Elementary School PTA and served as a member of both Pine Forest and Douglas Anderson High School PTAs.  She was a member and past president of Pine Forest Neighborhood Watch Committee. She was also a member and former president of the Baptist Ministers’ Wives & Widows FGBC, Inc. and the Baptist Ministers’ Wives & Widows of Duval & Adjacent Counties. In addition, she was First Matron for  Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #198, Long Standing Register of Deeds for Grand Court Order of Calanthe – Local Court (Prosperity Court #124 of Jacksonville) and Incomparable Ladies.

Thelma was married to Charles H. Williams (deceased). Six children were born from this union. On July 1, 1955 she married the love of her life, Rev. Jake Ray, Jr (deceased). Preceding her in death were her mother, father, brothers, Ollie Jones, Jr. and Dewitt Jones; and daughter, Marcia McCrary.

She leaves to cherish her memories, a devoted sister, Betty Huff; daughters, Linda Hadley (Marion, deceased), Rosalyn Williams, June Gordon (Walter), Barbara Johnson (Levan Jr.), Emma Jean Salters, Iva Smith and Constance McCrary-House; sons, Larry Williams (Vida), Richard Williams, Freddie Williams (Lenora), Tracy Grant (LaTonya); step-sons, Roland Jenkins and Frank Jenkins; grandchildren, Siva Williams (Amy), Kesha King (Dennis), Rosalyn Butts (Edwin), Richanda Williams, Walter Gordon, II (Shena), Dr. Aisha House, Tracy Williams, Erica Williams, Jonathan “Jay” Johnson, Richard Williams II, Latrece Gaither (Doug), Tia Hadley, De’Angelo Williams, Brandon Williams, Olivia Williams-Kaiser, Tara Smith and Tobias Brill; eighteen great-grandchildren; eight great-great grandchildren; godchildren, Robert Brown, III, Dwayne Waters, Reginald Waters, Eunice Badger (deceased), Anita Lawton (deceased), RaVondalyn Davis, Ethel Manning and Winona Coleman; devoted niece, Jackie Jones; devoted nephew, Brian Jones (Stephanie); beloved cousins, Maurice Jones, Jacob Jones, Thomas Jones, Vernett Jones, Helen Merritt, Joyce Taylor, and Gail Bryant; dedicated care givers, Deacon Freddy and Valerie Eady, Bertha Williams and Mary Alston; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Sarah L. Carter's Funeral Home Southside is serving the Family.

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