Dorothy Elizabeth Ray's Obituary
Dorothy Elizabeth Smith Ray Dorothy was born the fifth of ten children to Lewis Melton Smith and Vada Wisdom Smith on October 23,1920 in the Oyster Creek community, just south of Wolfe City, Texas and was returned to the Lord on September 6, 2009. A child of ” the great depression”, Dorothy learned how to “make do with what you had” and get by on very little. What was not in short supply during those most difficult years was a great and powerful “love of family” that was cultivated by her parents and passed down to the children. That love is still in tact today between her siblings. Upon graduating with honors from Wolfe City High School, Dorothy moved to Dallas. It was in Dallas that she met and later married the love of her life, Mozell Jarrell Ray on October 27, 1940. Dorothy and Mozell were married for 56 years and in that time raised four children. She was a wonderful mother to twin boys Philip and Robert, daughter Karen and youngest son Mark. Dorothy taught Sunday school at Inwood Baptist Church and was also involved in Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and the PTA. She also attended all her children’s endless sporting events and her home of over 55 years was always open to family and friends. Preceded in death by her parents Lewis and Vada Smith, her siblings Rayburn Smith, Helen Smith Feudo, George Smith, Mary Smith King, Robert Smith, her husband Mozell Jarrell Ray, her son Robert Ray, her grandson Kyle Ray. Dorothy is survived by her son Philip Ray and wife Barbara, her daughter Karen Ray Kretlow, her son Mark Ray and wife Paula. Dorothy is also survived by her grandchildren Aaron Ray, Jason Kretlow, Lauren Kretlow Gorman, Robert Kretlow, her 2 great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. Visitation from 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM on Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 Funeral services to be held on Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 10:00 AM Restland Funeral Home – 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243 (972) 761-8989
What’s your fondest memory of Dorothy?
What’s a lesson you learned from Dorothy?
Share a story where Dorothy's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Dorothy you’ll never forget.
How did Dorothy make you smile?