Jerlene Ray

Jerlene Joyce Hoff was born on March 1, 1933 in the family home in Bellville, Texas to Lawrence Hoff, Sr., and Linda Sontag Hoff. Jerlene was baptized on July 23, 1933 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Bellville. She was confirmed on April 14, 1946 at Zion Lutheran Church in Houston. When Jerlene was 3 years old the family moved to Houston and made their home in the Heights. She was a graduate of John H. Reagan High School and was a proud member of the Red Coats. While in high school she worked in the bakery at Henke & Pilot.  

Jerlene fell in love with Jack Ray and on February 3, 1951, they were married at Zion Lutheran Church in Houston where they were members. After they married, they lived in her parents' garage apartment in the Heights until they bought their new home in February 1953. They were blessed with four children, Barbara Ann, Jacquelynn Marie, René Evelyn, and Jack Edward Jr. Jerlene was a head teller at Heights State Bank for many years until they moved their family to their farm in Brenham in March 1970. It was in her home where she passed away quietly on Saturday, August 16.

Jerlene was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Jack Ray; her parents; her brother & sister-in-law: Lawrence Jr. & Florence Hoff; baby sister: Barbara Jean; son: Jack Ray, Jr. and son-in-law: Lemroy Goldberg.

She is survived by her daughter: Barbara Ann and husband, Keith Schoenemann; daughter: Jacqueline Marie Ray; daughter: René Evelyn Runge and fiancé Justin Wostarek; sister: Shirley Hoff; nephew: Larry Hoff; grandchildren: Misty and Kevin Lucherk, Kacey and Chad Weiss, Nick and Ashley Goldberg, Kyle and Karen Roemer, Kurt Roemer and special friend, Monica Reynolds, Hannah and Robbie Yanowski, Megan and Chris Brewster, Michael and Rachel Ray, Mitchell and Tracy Ray, Tyler and Renee Ray, Kacey and Jeremy Greiner, Lauren and Chris Larson, 29 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.

Mama loved God, her family, flowers, butterflies, Dallas Cowboys, shopping and all things lavender.

The visitation with the family will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 20 at Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main St., Brenham.

The funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, August 21 at Memorial Oaks Chapel. Burial will follow in Pilgrims Rest Cemetery in Bellville.

Pallbearers include Kyle Roemer, Kurt Roemer, Nick Goldberg, Michael Ray, Mitchell Ray and Tyler Ray. Honorary pallbearers include Kevin Lucherk, Chad Weiss, Robbie Yanowski and Chris Brewster.

The family would like to thank Traditions Home Health, especially Angie, Sherita and Chelsea, and Traditions Hospice, especially Ro, Brad, Cloe and Danny. Thanks also to Pastor Darrin Holub and Pastor Glen Schoeneberg for all their support.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Martin Luther Lutheran Church of Carmine and St. John's UCC of Burton Cemetery Fund.