Ada H. Ray

JUNE 1, 1916 - MARCH 6, 2009
Ada H. Ray, known to her family and friends as June Ray, 92, died Friday, March 6, 2009 at WakeMed, Cary Hospital, Cary, NC.
June was one of 10 children born to Louisa Star May Hearne and Bernard Augustus Hearne. June spent here early years in Greenville, NC. She was employed throughout her career as a secretary, first in the private sector, working in Washington, DC, and for a period of time in Bolivia. In 1960 she became employed by the Federal Government, working as a secretary for the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, VA. She retired from the Federal Government in 1981. Many of those years were spent as Secretary to the Commanding Officer of the Armed Forces Staff College, and she received numerous performance awards for her work in that position. In her retirement, she moved to Cary where she shared a home with her sister, Lucille Swaney, until Lucille moved to Woodland Terrace with their brother, Cell Hearne. In June, 2006, June herself moved to Woodland Terrace, first to the Independent Living Facility and later to the Assisted Living Facility, VerraSpring.
In addition to her time in Bolivia, June traveled to Russia, Africa, and Australia. This urge to get out and away stayed with her into her later years, as almost every day she would say, "I've got to get out of these four walls. Let's go somewhere!" Prior to moving to Woodland Terrace, June was active in the Cary XYZ Club. She was crowned the club Valentine Sweetheart in February, 2000. She consistently was the top salesperson for the annual XYZ Lazy Daze quilt raffle. It was difficult to say no to June Ray.
Surviving June are: her sister, Star May Williams of Sun Lakes, AZ and Casper, WY; nieces, Donna Star Williams, Betsy Lynne Pentecost Nichols, Venetia June Pentecost Everette, Dotsie Hearne Faught, and Laura Lou Hearne; nephews, James Spurgeon Pentecost Jr., Alan, Ken, and Ray Marcus; cousins, Elsie May Mason of Davidson, Robert May of Farmville, and Alfred May of Australia.
June was predeceased by her sisters, Lucille Hearne Swaney, Venetia Hearne Pentecost, Laura Hearne Marcus, brothers, Marcellus "Cell" Hearne, William Hearne, and Champ Hearne.
The family would like to express its thanks to the staff at Woodland Terrace for their love and patience in caring for June.
A memorial service will be held at the Woodland Terrace Assisted Living facility on Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 2:00 p.m.
Cremation was conducted by the Cremation Society of the Carolinas, 2205 E. Millbrook Road, Raleigh, NC 27604.