Loretha Faye (Summitt) Ray

Loretha Ray, 81, of Mount Ida, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, February 15, after living with dementia for many years.

Born on April 20, 1944, in Sims, Arkansas to Joseph and Mattie Summitt, Loretha grew up in Mt. Ida and graduated from Mt. Ida High School in 1962. On August 31, 1962, she married Richard Ray, and they drove across the country and began their married life in California. During their life together, they also lived in Glenwood, Arkansas; Nocona, Texas; Poteau, Oklahoma and Harrison, Arkansas.

Before retiring, Loretha worked as a Coordinator with the Head Start Program, and some of her favorite memories were of times spent traveling with co-workers. She loved being outdoors, and spent her free time bird watching, rock gathering and enjoying God’s creation even into her years with dementia.

In each community she was blessed to be a part of, Loretha had a special gift for diving in and becoming involved. She could be found leading the youth group, teaching Sunday School, serving on church councils and much more. We have been touched by the number of people from the different communities who have reached out and shared the difference “Mimi” made in their lives.

She is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Richard Ray; her children, Michelle (Zane) Meekins of Fort Worth, Texas and Gina Ray Ritchie of Tulsa, Oklahoma; four grandchildren, Madeline, Caroline, Paxton (Retha) and Parker, as well as her special “sister-cousins” Cathy (Bill) High and Sharon Sims, both of Hot Springs, Arkansas, and a host of family and friends who she loved dearly. Her sweet cat “Kitty” misses her already and provided much comfort during her final days.

The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to the Hospice Home Care staff, especially nurse Jenny, for their compassionate care and support.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 14 at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Ida First Methodist Church, with a reception following in the Family Life Center. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) or Mt. Ida First Methodist Church at P.O. Box 607, Mt. Ida, Arkansas.

Though dementia gradually changed her memory, it never diminished the love she gave or the impact she made. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered in the hearts of those who loved her.