Isabelle C. Ray

YORK Isabelle C. (Bowens) Ray died Sunday, August 17, 2008, at Colonial Manor Nursing Home. She was the wife of the late George Ray, Jr. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Shiloh Baptist Church, 629 S. Pershing Ave., York. Viewings will be from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Road, York, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the church. Burial will be in Susquehanna Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Ray was born March 16, 1925, in York. She was a daughter of the late Walter and Florence (Giles) Bones. After completing school in Washington, D.C., she returned to York for a short time before moving to Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1945 where she lived for 39 years. While in New York, she worked for Western Electric and then continued her career at East New York Legal Services in Brooklyn until her retirement in 1979 due to illness. Mrs. Ray rejoined her family in York in 1982 and became an active member of Shiloh Baptist Church. She was also a member of AARP national and local chapter #3060, the Democratic Club, and served as President of the Block Association and PTA in Brooklyn, N.Y. Mrs. Ray enjoyed traveling and loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. Mrs. Ray is survived by a son, Vincent A. (Chink) and wife, Mary L. Bowens of York; a daughter, Deborah M. and husband, David J. Barton of York; a stepdaughter, Diane Neely of Philadelphia; 12 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Viola Everette; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a grandson, Tru S. Ray-Barton, who passed away in 2006; and a sister, Clara Chambers, who passed away in 1999. Memorial contributions may be made to Shiloh Baptist Church, 629 S. Pershing Ave., York, PA 17403; or to VNA/Hospice Services, 218 E. Market St., York, PA 17403. Send Condolences at BestLifeTributes.com