Pansy Ray

Pansy Ray, age 95, passed away on Friday, April 8, 2022, in Palestine. 

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 14, 2022, at Scott’s Funeral Home Chapel in Gatesville, to share memories of Pansy.  Private family interment next to her husband, Earl was held at Restland Cemetery in Gatesville in April.

Pansy Lee Richardson Ray was a CHRISTIAN, a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a great grandmother, a great-great grandmother, an aunt, a cousin, and a friend.  “Dutch” as she was affectionately called in her younger days was born in Waco, Texas on October 23, 1926.  She was the second child of Jesse Walter Richardson and Myrtle Mae Stephens Richardson. Pansy had three sisters and six brothers: Linnie, Jacob, Virginia, Jesse Jr., John, Harvey, Billy Wayne, Pauline, and Dennis. Over the years, Pansy said goodbye to all of them except her baby sister, Pauline.

Pansy was married to Earl Ray for 47 and a half years. They had three daughters: Patsy, Janet, and Donna. After Janet was born, they moved to Odessa, Texas. Her husband, Earl and daughter, Janet preceded her in death.

Donna and Patsy were so blessed they were able to be with Pansy during her final days. They have many good memories of their mom to share with the people who loved her—her son-in-law, Bill; Patsy and Bill’s children, Tim and Shannon; Janet’s daughter, Tiffany and her husband, Bryan; Tim’s daughter Stormy; Shannon’s children, Ryleigh, Madison, and Braedyn; Tiffany’s children, Devin, Tristan, Taylor, and Kelly; and Stormy’s children, Kellie and Aurora.

Pansy worked hard all her life. She shared many stories of picking cotton when she was a child. She knew how to stretch a dollar. She knew how to cook, although no one knows if she genuinely enjoyed it! Pansy had such a good memory and could tell you important dates and colorful stories about her family.  She loved getting cards and phone calls.

Donna and Patsy would like to thank Sharron, Charlotte, Cheryl, Betty, Lee, Marie, Al, Angie, Tim, Kaylene, Maggie, Tony (to name a few), for your prayers, cards, and phone calls to check on Pansy in her final years.

Pansy is healed and in the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven. (Matthew 5:12)