Betty June Alexander Ray

Betty was born 90 years ago on June 21st, 1928, on her mother’s birthday. She was born in Merced, California, where she passed away on October 20th of 2018. She is preceded in death by her husband James E. Alexander, her husband James Ray, and her husband Kenneth Watts. Betty is also preceded in death by her parents, George Martin Dickinson, Sr., Emily Bessie Rolls Dickinson, and her third son, Darrell Martin Alexander.

Betty was a homemaker and dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother. She and her husband Reverend Jim Alexander ran a foster home and receiving home for the state. Three hundred and sixty-five children’s lives were touched by Jim and Betty during this time.

She is survived by her brothers, George Dickinson, Jr. and John Dickinson, and her sister, Ann Dickinson Hurd. She will be missed by her children, Michael James Alexander and his wife, Deborah; Mark Leslie Alexander and his wife, Donna; David George Alexander and his wife, Carrie; Beth Ann Milliken, and her husband, Larry; Jomarie Kay George, and her husband, Chris; and Darrell Alexander’s widow, Tammy Burdick Alexander. Many others were part of the family including Charlene Reid Craig, Elvira Alvarez Mix, Mark Baptista, Martin Alaniz, and Rafael Ochoa. She is survived by 20 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren.

Betty enjoyed music and in her later life, she could be heard humming or singing as she moved quickly past people in her wheelchair. Like her mother, Emily, she was artistic and creative, and even finished a year in art school. Above all, Betty was a compassionate and responsible caregiver who took care of numerous people all her life.

Betty and her husband, James E. Alexander, were founding members of the Bible Christian Church where she worshipped for forty-six years. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Bible Christian Church, P.O. Box 259, LeGrand, CA, 95333.

The family would like to thank all the caregivers who were helpful and kind to her in her later years. Their efforts and kindness are greatly appreciated.

Visitation will be Thursday, October 25th from 2:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, 1490 B Street, Merced, CA.

The funeral will be held on Friday, October 26th, at 10:00 a.m. at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home. Pastor John Flanagan, of the Bible Christian Church, will officiate.

Interment will be at Plainsburg Cemetery, 8943 Gillette Avenue, Merced, immediately following the funeral service.