Ileen Ray

Ruth Ileen Ray, 72, passed away Saturday, October 22, 2016 at Trisun Care Center. Ileen is described as joyful, fun-loving, encouraging, caring, dedicated and faithful by her family, friends and those whose lives she touched. Born in Groves,Texas on October 30, 1943, she began her life as the older twin to her sister Noreen. Never apart as children, they even developed their own language with Ileen as translator. She is survived by her daughter Cara, twin sister and brother -in -law Noreen and John Thompson, brother-in-law Jim Ray and wife Jane, sister-in-law Katherine Wallin and husband Jimmy and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Marvin, her brother Jim Blount and her parents Lottie and Bill Blount. Ileen earned BA and Master's Degrees at her beloved Baylor University before joining the faculty at Navarro College on September1, 1967. She began as Physical Education Instructor, coaching the Lady Bulldogs' Basketball Team and sponsoring the Senoritas Drill Team. After earning another Masters Degree, she moved into a long-running position as a professional counselor. In this position, she served as Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society co-sponsor for several years. Ileen retired after 32 years of faithful service to the Navarro College community, guiding and encouraging students. At Navarro, Ileen met Marvin Ray who taught Economics at the college. Married for 47 years they raised their family, entertained friends and dedicated their lives to Christ through service at Northside Baptist Church. With her outgoing personality and quick wit, Ileen taught Sunday School, even leading an older men's class who loved her. While Marvin cooked for Food for Fitness, Ileen helped with prepping, serving and clean up for many years. In her last year at Trisun Care Center, her pleasing personality, gratitude and quick retorts quickly won the hearts of the nurses and aides. The family is appreciative of TCC's loving care and they will miss her parting "See you later, alligator," and their reply, "after while crocodile". And we all know as Christians that we will all see her after awhile in Heaven. Ileen leaves a legacy of lives she touched as teacher, counselor, wife, mother and Christian. Graveside services will be held at Oakwood Cemetery on Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at 1 pm with Dr. Rick Lamb of Northside Baptist Church officiating.

Ileen Ray

October 30, 1943 - October 22, 2016