Marie Louise Ray

Marie Louise Ray, who entered her eternal rest on October 3, 2025 in Wichita Falls, TX , was born on May 3, 1945 in Verona, NY.

She is survived by her children Katrina (Jim) Daily of Richmond, TX, Robert (Jessica) Massey of Wichita Falls, TX, both children from her first marriage to Randy Massey. She is also survived by her adopted son, Paul (TayLee) White of Layton, Utah, son to her second husband whom she divorced, Henry White.

She is also survived by her brother, Tom (Pat) Ray, and sister-in-law, Peg Ray. She was preceded in death by her parents Thomas Ray and Dorothy (Allen) Ray of Verona, NY, her brother, Lee Ray and her half-brothers, Alan Allen and Roger Close.

After she graduated from Vernon-Verona -Sherrill High School in 1963, Marie Louise Ray, was capped and awarded a certificate of registered medical assistant upon graduating from Career Academy, Washington, D.C. Marie accepted a position at the George Washington University Hospital in the cancer clinic. She was also employed at Syracuse Memorial Hospital. She enjoyed working in the labor and delivery unit.

She attended the 1964 New York World's Fair where she approached the missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since October 17, 1964, she used her musical gifts to bless others as pianist, singer and chorister both for children and adults alike. While she didn't speak any other languages fluently, she spoke the international language of the heart through music. Her half-brother, Alan, took her to a Camden,NY school where he taught, and she got to try playing the tuba. She got a real hoot out of the tuba, but singing was her forte. In fact, she was known as one of the four muskoteers with her school -age friends that also sang with her in the Presbyterian church chorale group as well as at school choir. One of the highlights in her life came after winning first place in a singing competition at school.

She delighted to teach the primary children, whether it was with a side of magic tricks or using her ventriloquist skills to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ through conversations with her puppet, Nicky.

She also served as a leader among women as the Relief Society President within the Olmos Park Ward in San Antonio , the Herman Park ward in Houston and the Rosenberg Ward .Even in her latter years in Houston, she took joy in compassionate service for her friends that were like sisters, taking them to doctor's appointments or offering a meal to those in need. She took to heart the Relief Society motto: "Charity Never Faileth"

From her love for a menagerie of animals, especially cats, through the years, she would gladly take in one more animal because her caring heart knew no bounds. In fact, she not only rescued animals, but she took in people and wrapped them with pure love. One time when Robert asked her if they could help another one of his coworkers who was down on her luck, she took Melissa into her home and heart and treated her like another daughter. Years later, she chose to adopt another son when she was 74 years old, bringing Paul White into our family circle.

Many may remember her ready smile or her lively sense of humor that stayed with her in spite of her dementia. She always loved to entertain and make others laugh. Sometimes, she carried a Cheshire cat smile. All in all, her cheerful demeanor radiated to all among her for whom she held that "right back atcha" kind of love.

If you saw her pictures, you would know how much she enjoyed to make magic happen. She held a myriad of jobs, and was part of the International Brotherhood of Magicians since 1980-but her most prized role was that of mother. She loved showing up for her kid's birthdays as Silly Sally, her clown-o-gram professional character.

She was there for track meets, took her children to help her with her business at Firehouse Pizza, and proudly celebrated her son's completed mission. Her hobbies of dancing the salsa and rhumba carried out after she became a dance instructor with the Arthur Murray Dance Studio.

Her eyes would shine and her face would glow as she would speak about each of her children, but especially about her grandchildren. She has 11 grandchildren whom she loved , and she was always game to play a game, unless it was Old Maid. It delighted her to be a ray of sunshine to every one she met. "Ever onward, onward and upward," her personal motto, carried her back into the loving arms of her Heavenly Father

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