Shirley Marie Ray

Shirley Marie Ray, 77, passed away in the early morning of August 10, 2016 at her Dothan home. She was surrounded by her loved ones in her final hours.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 13,2016 at the Sunset Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Woody Farrington officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park with Robert Byrd directing. The family will receive friends from 1-2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

Mrs. Ray was born in Jasper, TN on September 5, 1938 to Meredith Hoosier and Willis Henry Hoosier. Mrs. Ray married Robert Earl Ray on September 29, 1967. Mrs. Ray was a proud Navy wife and mother. She had a life-long Civil Service career which spanned many of her husband’s duty stations, including San Diego, CA, Charleston, SC, and Norfolk, VA. When RMCS Ray retired from the Navy, the family moved to Alabama where Mrs. Ray continued her career at Fort Rucker and in Birmingham, ultimately retiring from the Civil Service in 1994. In her free time, she enjoyed crocheting, travel, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She particularly loved to visit Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN.

Mrs. Ray was preceded in death by her father and mother.

Shirley is survived by her husband, Robert Ray; her sister, Reita Davidson of Tullahoma, TN; her daughter Linda Barbarisi Ronnie Rouse of Chesapeake, VA; son James Ray of Dothan; daughter Diane Easterwood Chris of Macon, GA; daughter Linda Clark Johnny of Slocomb, daughter Brenda Ray of Slocomb, and daughter Barbara Ray of Dothan. She leaves behind 10 grandchildren whom she adored: Valerie Sabo Stephen, Jordan Barbarisi, Ciara Ray, Corey Ray, Meredith Thompson, Logan Easterwood Jessi, Colby Easterwood, Jennifer Trimm, Andy Ray Haley, John Michael Wiebold; 7 great-grandchildren: Stephen “Hank” Sabo, Cody Ray, Ian Trimm, Georgia Grace Smith, Annaliese Hamilton, Alysa Ray, and Anna Ray; and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Ray loved her family with all her heart and everyone will miss sharing chocolate treats and “hugging {her} neck.”

The family would like to thank the staff of Gentiva Hospice for all of their support. The love and kindness displayed in their work was nothing short of amazing. We will be forever grateful for all they’ve done.