Mary Gale Ray

Mary Gale Ray, a lifelong resident of Lavaca, Arkansas, passed away Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at her home. She was born on January 10, 1943, in Lavaca to the late Clinton Austin Stem and Mary Lou (Rucker) Stem. She was 82 years old. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 57 years, Ben J. Ray; a sister, Susie Stem; and a brother, Don Stem.

Additional obituary information will be posted soon.

Funeral service will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, September 22nd, at Lavaca First Baptist Church, with Pastor Steven Smithson and Darrel Ray officiating. Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Fort Smith National Cemetery, under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home and Flower Shop in Charleston.

She is survived by three sons, Ron Ray and wife Cindy of Lavaca, Darrel Ray and wife Tonia of Conway, and Steve Ray of Lavaca; a sister, Sharon Saugstad of Eugene, Oregon; a brother, Mark Stem and wife Alice of Anaheim, California; four grandchildren, Shyla Hamrick, Scott Ray, Nathan Ray and wife Andi, and Hannah Ray; one great-grandchild, Xade Hamrick, and one more on the way.

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