Jewell Cantrell Ray

Born in Merkel, Texas December 28, 1928 and went to be with The Lord on September 20, 2014. Jewell was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, in Dallas, Texas, Class of 1947. On November 18, 1949 she married the love of her life John (Johnny) Howard Ray and they celebrated nearly 65 years of marriage. They had, two daughters, six grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Jewell grew up as a member of Mt. Auburn Church of Christ, where she also married and passed her faith on to her daughters, grandchildren, friends and extended family.

Jewell was preceded in death by her parents Voll and Olettia Cantrell, her sister Thelma Cantrell Miller, her brother Bill Cantrell and her niece Donna Hudnall Hadad.

Surviving family includes her oldest daughter, Cheryl Ray Franklin; Cheryl’s spouse, Ken Franklin; their children: Meredith Conroy and spouse Craig Conroy, Candice Dodson and spouse Alan Dodson, Mallory Kuesel, Joe Franklin and spouse Dee Franklin, Madeline Franklin and Mitchell Franklin. Jewell’s youngest daughter, Catherine Ray Wright; Catherine’s spouse, Brad Wright and their sons: Jeremiah Irion and spouse Jose Irion, Austin Wright and Chandler Wright. Jewell is also survived by her Great Grandchildren: Megan and Grace Irion, Alexa and Cameron Conroy, Skye and Harper Jewell Dodson, Skye Dodson and Milo Franklin. Her sister, Vera Cantrell Hudnall and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews survive her.

Jewell was a member of the Library Club and Press Club at Woodrow Wilson High School; these early encounters with reading and acquisition of knowledge were always a part of her life. An avid reader, her personal collection ranged from biographies to romance novels...medical diagnosis books to painting instruction and technique. She consumed magazines about gardening, bird watching, cooking, recipes, decoration, fashion, travel and more. Jewell was a member of a gardening club and her insatiable appetite for her interests took her to places most would only dream of; in reality she acted on those travel magazine destination dreams. Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom…cruises south to the Caribbean and Panama Canal, east to Bermuda, west to Hawaii and north to Alaska and Canada. Family vacations with her husband Johnny and two daughters were epic. Traveling by car to national parks, documenting the encounters with photos and maps, her recording of destinations, departures, arrivals, accommodations were worthy of a seasoned travel reporter. This was followed by a decade of camping trips with family and friends until she and Johnny built the lake house of their dreams in Athens, Texas. Along with her passion for reading, gardening and travel Jewell loved sewing, knitting and needlepoint. She made and designed clothes for both of her daughters and needlepoint Christmas stockings for children and grandchildren.

Jewell loved her family; she enjoyed nearly 65 years of marriage with her husband, partner and best friend, John. Their love story began as a blind date and together they built a life and raised their family. She richly engaged in the lives of her daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jewell was fiercely protective of her family, she loved them one and all and regularly spoke of her pride in each of them. As the matriarch, she cooked, hosted holidays and served others. Pets were extended family; Peppi, Benji, Charlie, Maggie and Chesty were among her favorites.

Jewell will be missed deeply, celebrated widely and loved greatly.