Mary Lu Ray

Mary Lu was preceded in death by her beloved husband Charles and her parents, Woody Pittard and Eva Usrey Pittard. She is survived by her children, Debbie Vandervegt (Brian Schwarz) and Patti Burt (Wade); grandchildren, Rachel Vandervegt Ford (Kenny) and Frank Vandervegt; and great-grandchild, Adelina Ford.

Mary Lu was born in Birmingham on July 23, 1926. After college she moved to Childersburg, Alabama to teach. During her second year of teaching, she met and married Charles Walter Ray. They were happily married for 71 years.

Mary Lu and Charles moved to Birmingham and joined Shades Mountain Baptist Church. They maintained an active membership for over 60 years, the last few years of which they were homebound.

Mary Lu received a Bachelor’s Degree from Jacksonville State University and a Master’s Degree from the University of Montevallo. She taught elementary school for 31 years, retiring from Gwin Elementary School in Hoover, Alabama in 1984.

Mary Lu's family will receive friends at Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, Alabama on Friday, May 2, 2025 from 2-3 p.m., followed by A Service of Remembrance at 3 p.m. at the funeral home.