Kathy Arabella Ray

Kathy Arabella Ray, of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on December 10, 2025, surrounded by family and friends.
She was born on March 6, 1956, in Pauls Valley, the youngest of six children of Woodrow Jones Sr. and Sylvia Etta (Harman) Jones. Kathy grew up in Rosedale and graduated from Wayne High School in 1974. She spent most of her adult life-and raised her family-in Pauls Valley, where she built deep roots and lasting friendships.
A woman of steadfast Baptist faith, Kathy found great comfort and solace in the Lord. She was an active member of several churches throughout her life, most recently attending Walker Baptist Church, where she found fellowship and community, and faithfully watching Rosedale Baptist Church online.
Kathy began her career in the law office of Glen Ham, and later spent 25 years with Jerry Suggs State Farm Insurance in Pauls Valley. She then worked as a talented florist, ultimately joining her dear friends Pamela Rickey Popejoy and Melissa Rickey Koesler at Bloomin Crazy, where she loved connecting with neighbors and bringing beauty into their lives.
She eventually discovered a passion for landman work in the oil and gas industry; following in her father's footsteps-work that perfectly suited her natural interest in rural business and her enjoyment of researching long-standing Oklahoma and Texas family histories.
Outside of work, Kathy loved country life and caring for her many beloved dogs, cats, and horses. She regularly took in or found homes for animals in need-often being first in line at the animal shelter when a photo in the local paper touched her heart. On one such morning, she's known to have announced, "If you're here for the schnauzer, you can go home." That lucky pup became her first grand-dog, Berkley.
She had a particular passion for raising and racing thoroughbred horses, proudly traveling across Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas to race the horses she loved so dearly. She took a special pride in the four homebreds she bred and raised-each one breaking its maiden race and retiring sound, a reflection of her devotion, care, and the way she touched every life around her.
Kathy is survived by her daughters, Emily Ray-Porter and Christy Jackson, often reminding them on their occasional lazy mornings to "get up and be somebody!" Emily lives in Dallas, Texas, with her husband, Zachary Porter. Christy lives in Norman, Oklahoma, with her husband, Anthony Jackson. Kathy's beloved grandchildren are Bryce, Piper, and Landry.
She is also survived by her brother, Ray Jones of Wayne, Oklahoma; her sister, Emma Patton, and husband Roger of Paoli, Oklahoma; her brother-in-law, Jed Millsap of Prescott, Arizona; her sister-in-law, Debbie Jones of Purcell, Oklahoma; and her mother-in-law, Emma Ray of Pauls Valley, along with many nieces, nephews, and other family members.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Woodrow and Sylvia Jones, and siblings Wayne Jones, Alma Millsap, and Woody Jones.
Kathy was married to Larry Ray for 15 years. She remained single thereafter, choosing a quiet and meaningful life rooted in faith, family, and the animals she loved.
Services will be held at Stufflebean-Coffey Funeral Home Chapel in Pauls Valley on Monday, December 15, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. We invite you to light a candle and send words of comfort to the family at www.stufflebeanfuneralhome.com.
For those wishing to honor Kathy's memory, the family welcomes flowers from Bloomin Crazy in Pauls Valley, a place she loved and where she spent many joyful years. Memorial contributions may also be made to All Seated in a Barn (allseatedinabarn.com) or the Pauls Valley Animal Welfare Society, (protectadoptlove.com) in recognition of Kathy's lifelong devotion to caring for animals in need.
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