1948-2023

Maryland “Mickey” Gail Ray, 75 (Born Aug. 21, 1948) of Humble, formerly of Madisonville, Texas passed away in Humble, Texas on Dec. 30, 2023.

She was the oldest child born to Edgar Lee Ray and Willow Lois Davidson Ray.

Her childhood was spent in Madisonville, Texas. She accepted Christ at an early age, christened, and was a member of Wilson Chapel UMC.

Maryland moved to Houston, attended Booker T. Washington High School, and graduated in 1967. After high school, she continued her education at Prairie View A&M University graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a minor in English in 1971. After graduating from Prairie View, she began her career as an Educator with Centerville ISD and Houston ISD. After leaving the field of education, she began a new profession with Gulf Coast Community Service Association, eventually becoming Executive Director for the Bay City Branch in Bay City, Texas. She also worked in various administrative roles with the State of Texas, Harris County Psychiatric Hospital, and lastly, Gerald Womack Real Estate Development before her health began to fail.

Maryland was preceded in death by her parents Edgar Lee Ray and Willow Lois Ray; brother, Jack Alfred Ray; grandmothers, Bernice Merle Washington and Rella Morris Curtis; and grandfathers, Zannie Davidson and Horace “Simp” Ray.

Maryland will truly be missed by her mother Gladys Ray; daughters, Zannavia (Charles) Willpitz, Andrea (Keith) Dennis and Sondrea (Jarrod) Brown; grandchildren, Devin Williams, Zaydrea Williams, Keith Dennis II, Kamryn Dennis, Ashley (Trevor) Nixon, Tamara Reed, Charles Johnson, Jardon Brown and Jerrell (Ja’Net) Brown; great-grandchildren, Jada Ayers and Mason Nixon; brothers, Sterling Tyrone Maxwell and James Gwen Smith; sister, Renee Woodard; nieces, Talulah Anderson, Cazmyn Ray, and Breya Ray; nephews, Michael Jason Ray, Jackie Dewayne (Kayla) Morning and Tyrone (NyTasha) Anderson Maxwell; Aunt Gloria Collins; special cousins, Kevin Neal, Rita Lamb and Donnie Miller; bonus children, Quinteria Roach, Monica McCoy, Earll Washington and Friday Williams; devoted friends, Mary Ethel Anderson, Gearld Womack, JoAnn McCoy, Barbara Johnson; and a host of extended family and friends.

Visitation will be held Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, from 10-11 a.m., at 806 West Trinity St. in Madisonville, Texas 77864 (Previously All Families Mortuary Chapel). Funeral service will be held immediately after at 11 a.m.

Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, at 806 West Trinity Street Madisonville, Texas 77864.

Interment will follow at West End Memorial Cemetery in Madisonville, Texas 77864.

Flowers may be delivered Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 806 West Trinity St. Madisonville, Texas 77864.