Etta Janet Ray

Etta Janet Ray, age 86, passed away peacefully at her home in Edmond, Oklahoma on Sunday, December 29, 2024, surrounded by a loving family. Graveside services will be held at the Renfrow Czecho-Slovak Cemetery near Renfrow, OK, at 1:00 pm, Saturday, January 4, 2025. Chaplin Gary Rollins will be presiding.

Etta was born on October 18th, 1938, in Renfrow, Oklahoma to Edd and Mildred Skrdla. She grew up on the family farm with her sister Mary. She attended school at Sunbeam District #44 School, three miles north of Medford. It was during these formative years that she developed an understanding of the importance of family bonds and community. Her love and nurturing spirit created a legacy of closeness and togetherness that will forever be cherished by her children and grandchildren. She graduated from Medford High School in 1956 and went on to graduate from Enid Memorial Hospital Nursing School in 1959 as a Register Nurse and as President of her class. 

Etta briefly worked at Denver General Hospital in Denver, Colorado but soon moved back to Enid, Oklahoma to work at Enid Memorial Hospital. It was there where she met a young man named Robert Ray from Oklahoma City with whom she would spend the next 60 years of her life. They were married on August 19, 1961. They then moved to Oklahoma City where they started their family. Etta continued in the nursing field for the next several years working at Baptist Hospital on Northwest Expressway running the 5th floor orthopedic ward. 

In 1973, Bob and Etta moved to Enid, OK, to raise their family. She continued in the nursing field working both in hospital and in private practice, eventually taking a break to spend more time with her family. She did return to nursing, working at Meadowlake Hospital with geriatric and chemically dependent patients.

Bob and Etta retired, moving to the family farm near Medford, OK in 1997 but moved back to Enid when Bob was called out of retirement to work at Vance AFB. In 2017, they moved to Edmond, OK to be closer to family. 

Etta was the recipient of the Honorable Order of Molly Pitcher Award bestowed by the US Field Artillery Association to wives who had voluntarily contributed in a significant way to the improvement of the US Field Artillery communities. The award is named after Molly Pitcher who distinguished herself during the American Revolutionary War.

Etta is survived by her son David Ray (wife Jill) of Edmond, daughter Paula Swaim of Stillwater, and daughter Diane Johnson (husband Jim) of Edmond. Etta has 10 grandchildren, Sean Swaim (wife Ciara), Seth Swaim, Savannah Delzell (husband Sam), Grayson Johnson (wife Tara), Colton Johnson, Ryan Johnson, Mckennah Ray, Jacob Johnson, Rob Ray, and Cale Swaim. In addition, she was blessed with five great-grandchildren, Lucas, Liam, twins Logan & Landry, and newly born Theo. She loved all her family - her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren - with all her heart. She is additionally survived by her sister Mary Jones (husband Glenneth) of Medford, and many other beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Etta was preceded in death by her husband Robert Ray, son-in-law Greg Swaim, and her parents Edd and Mildred Skrdla.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be sent to Smith & Kernke Funeral Home for restoration and maintenance of the Renfrow Czecho-Slovak Cemetery in Renfrow, OK, or the charity of their choice.