Lola Mae Ray

Lola was raised in rural Butler and Harvey counties. Her family moves to Whitewater, Kansas where she attended school. She graduated from Whitewater High School in 1946.

Mom was a Bank Teller in Potwin, Kansas and that is where she met our Dad Robert (Bob) Ray. They were married September 1955 and went to Florida on their Honeymoon. Dad fell in love with Florida and a year later they moved to Orlando.

Mom & Dad loved to go boating on the Windermere Chain or Lakes with the Arnold’s, camping and going to the beach. She was also a Girl Scout Leader when we were in Junior High School.

Growing up Mom was a Bank Teller for Orange State Bank for many tears. The she worked at Conway Elementary School asa PE aide. After that, she became the Attendance Clerk and finally the Secretary to the Principal. When the Principal got transferred Mom moved to the Orange County Public School District office. She retired February 1990 and was planning to travel the United States in their motorhome. Plans changed when her second grandson was born. The following month they headed out to see all 48 states.

Then they bought property in Waynesville North Carolina where they stayed from May 13 to October 7th. Dad and Mom had a huge porch, a wonderful creek (the grandchildren loved playing in the creek) and would stay for a week where they had to work a day and then have a fun day. They owned that until Dad passed away in July of 2002.

She loved being a Grammy to her 5 grandchildren and her 4 great grandchildren and made family a priority in her life.

Mom was a Charter member of Pershing Avenue Christian Church. She was always busy with planning, setting up and cleaning up at Church events. On Tuesdays she would volunteer at the Pantry with Melba. She also enjoyed going to Plays at the Bob Carr Center with her friends Corrine Huff, Melba McDugald, Sandy Sykes, Barbara McFalls and others from Church.

Mom is preceded in death by her husband Robert (Bob) of 47 years, her parents Frank Willis and Leota Faye, her brother Blaine and his wife Jeannie, her brother Ronnie and his wife Maxine and her sister Barbara Jean. She is survived by her brother Leland (Halicia) of El Dorado, Kansas, her daughters Sue (Gary) LaMarca of Orlando, Florida; Shari (Ric) Graber of St. Cloud, Florida; Five grandchildren Jordan and Jared LaMarca of Orlando, Florida; Kaley (Matt) Ganci of Lakeland, Florida; Steffanie (David) Wilson of Orlando, Florida; Brandon (Caitlin) of St. Cloud, Florida; Four great grandchildren Bennett LaMarca, Eli Wilson, Brody and Hudson Graber and baby girl Ganci coming in April.

Our family would like to thank you for your support, prayers and words of encouragement during this difficult time. We would also like to thank Advent Health Hospice, especially Sarah and Chaplin Prince. Also Somerby and their staff for being so supportive and their kindness.

Lola’s homecoming Service will be at Baldwin Fairchild Alternatives at All Faith’s 4901 S Orange Avenue Orlando, Florida 32806 on January 26, 2024 from 11:00am - 2:00pm. Lunch will be provided following the Service. Memorials can be made to Advent Health Hospice or Alzheimer Association in Lola’s memory