It is with great sadness that we share the loss of our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Bennie Payne Stokes Ray. Bennie was born March 30, 1941 to B. G. Payne and Elizabeth Prescott (deceased) in Sulpher Springs, Texas. She passed peacefully on September 19, 2018. Bennie was blessed with a large family and is survived by her four children, 10 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
Bennie was a beautiful lady inside and out and was always thinking of others. Her nature was very caring and this is what she did for her family and eventually did as her profession as a caregiver working for families and individuals to make sure their needs were met.
Bennie was greatly loved in her community where she lived. They gathered together frequently to enjoy the simpler things in life. Inspirations from Bennie’s patio garden:
“Life is a journey not a destination” by Emerson.
Bennie was also known for her magnificent taste. Her home was impeccably decorated with the treasures she found going to garage sales every chance she got. She was an “expert” bargain hunter.
Bennie has joined Heaven’s choir. She loved music and loved to sing. If you think for just a moment, you could probably remember a fond tune you heard her sing.
Bennie is survived by her siblings: sister, Sandra and her husband David Blansett, brother, Robert and wife, Cathy Baird, and brother, James and wife, Barbara Payne.
Her beloved children: son, Bass and wife, Karen Stokes, daughter, Sharon Elizabeth and husband, Andy Long, daughter, Susan Elaine Stokes, and son, Michael Edward and wife, Andrea Keahey Stokes.
Her grandchildren who fondly knew her as “Nana”: Mark Scott Taylor, Jason Michael and wife, Sydney Marie Long, Mary Elizabeth Stokes, Ashley Gene Stokes, Christopher and wife, Nicole Lyn Stokes, Nichole and husband, Jared Holmes, Samantha Keahey and husband, Tyler Brandstetter, Adam and wife, Silvia Keahey, and Sharlene and husband, Esequiel Villarreal.
Her great-grandchildren: Brody Michael Long, Corbin Russell Long, Alyssa Stokes, Dylan Stokes, Brayden Holmes, Andrew Keahey, Allison Brandstetter and Jayden Keahey.
Her three favorite words were “I Love You” and she loved with her whole heart.
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