Juanita J. Bray

Juanita Joy Bray, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend, passed away on August 25, 2011 at her home at the age of 81. Juanita was born in a small town in Oklahoma on December 2, 1929, to Monroe and Pearl Jester. At the age of 5 two significant events, the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression, forced mom and her family to leave Oklahoma and move to the San Joaquin Valley. As was the case with many families making the same trek during that time, just getting to California was an adventure, with their old model car breaking down at least five times along the way. But make it they did, first viewing the San Joaquin Valley as they traveled down Old Highway 58, finally making their way to Modesto where they lived with her aunt and uncle for a short period of time until her dad could find a job. In 1945, at the age of 16, mom was introduced to Marine Corporal Robert Charles Bray. Dad had just completed his four years of duty in the South Pacific Theatre during WWII and was briefly stationed in Vallejo where they met, dated a little over four weeks, and were married. Upon his discharge from the Marine Corp, dad moved his beautiful wife to Bakersfield, where they lived the entire 63 years of their marriage. Mom was completely devoted to her family with her husband, three children, eight grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren taking front and center in her life. The countless hours of thoughts and prayers that mom devoted to all of us through the years is just one example of the selfless giving, grace, and love that she modeled to us as part of her legacy. Mom, along with friends Joan, Marietta, Susan, Jewell, and Joanie, were part of a prayer group in which everything, large and small, was given to the Lord in faith. All of us, without exception, benefitted from this small but very powerful group of ladies. Mom worked several jobs throughout her life, but was especially successful as a Real Estate Agent in the 80's and 90's at Century 21 Minner Reality. Her people skills, integrity, and loyalty to her clients were so consistent with who she was as a person and in large part lead to the success she had selling homes and property throughout Kern County. Whether at home or in the work place, mom's character could be described as compassionate, insightful, intuitive, and giving to a fault. She was also a great listener, while at the same time could be incredibly direct and to the point. Throughout her adult life Mom enjoyed quilting, making clothes, gardening, and hosting holiday dinners for her family. Mom was preceded in death by her husband, Robert C. Bray, parents Monroe Jester and Pearl Birkhofer, and her sister Joanne. She is survived by her brother, LaVon, her three children, son Gary Bray and wife Terri, daughter Laura Jeffries and husband Tom, son Robert Bray, and brother in law, Bill Bray. Included also are a total of 15 grandchildren and great grandchildren. Of special note also would be her loyal neighbor of 50 years, Betty Trout, who was with mom until the very end, and mom's dog Cindy, who provided countless hours of love and affection as she dealt with the difficult year and a half after dad's death. The family would like to extend an invitation to attend a celebration of mom's life on Thursday, Sept. 1, at 10:00 a.m. at Hillcrest Memorial Park.