W. Jean “Barnett” Bray went to be with the Lord on February 10, 2024. Jean was born on October 26, 1931 in Chappell Nebraska, to Harold and Mazelle “Rankin” Barnett. She attended elementary school in Chappell. Jean excelled in her school work. The school was a one room schoolhouse with one teacher. Jean excelled in Spelling Bee’s and still remembers the word she missed.
Jean and her family lived on a farm outside of Chappell. She enjoyed riding her grey Shetland Pony and making paperdolls with her sister, Shirley. The family moved to Greeley, Co in January of 1946. Jean attended Greeley High and graduated. She began her senior year at 15 years old and graduated at 16 years old in 1948. She loved her art class and excelled in painting.
Jean attended college at UNC in Greeley and transferred to SBI (Southwestern Bible Institute) in Waxahacie, Texas. She met Frank Bray at church and began dating. They both attended college in Texas. They were married in Greeley, Co on May 13, 1951. Jean was employed at Snow White Supermarket and worked there for 13 years. She gave notice to her employers when the call came that the baby girl she was going to adopt would be ready the next day. Jean dreamed of having a family for 13 years. It finally came to pass; the call came for the 2nd adopted baby boy three and a half years later. Her family was complete. She loved being a Mom and Homemaker. She returned to the workplace in 1975 and retired December of 1983. She worked at Dr. Colman’s Dental office as a office manager. At her retirement party, the Coleman’s gave Jean and Frank a trip to Hawaii. Frank retired from the Greeley Post Office. Jean was voted in as Secretary and Treasurer of the Ladies Aux of the Letter Carriers Nation Association.
Jean helped take care of babysitting her Grandkids, was a caregiver to her mother and to Frank. Frank died of cancer in 2005 and her mother died at 101.5 years old in 2006. Jean loved her home and decorated for every season. Christmas was her favorite. Her yard and flowers gave her much pleasure. She loved to sit on her patio and enjoyed looking at it. Jean was a member and attended First Assembly of God (77 years in 2023). Jean accepted Jesus as her Savior at a very young age and loved her church. Jean taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and played the Hammond Organ for over 50 years. She played for Sunday Services, Weddings, Funerals, Wednesday night service and some special music selections. She attended the Senior groups and decorated the tables for primetimers. Jean became homebound in the later years of life with multiple health issues.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Shirley and numerous brother and sister in-laws, a nephew and a niece.
Survivors Daughter, Valerie and Husband Ruben Salazar of Greeley, Colorado, a son Barry Bray of Platteville, Colorado. Grand Children Joshua and wife Tammy Salazar and children Jovani and Joshlynn, Nickole and Husband Carlos Morales, Amanda and husband Dustin, Heather and Husband Eric, Colorado and Alex Bray. Step grandchildren; Mike and wife Acielle and Sara Faye Birch and numerous great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Saturday, February 17, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Stoddard Funeral Home, 3205 W. 28th Street, Greeley, Colorado 80634. A Celebration of Jean's Life will be Monday, February 19, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Greeley First Assembly of God Church, 3000 16th Street, Greeley, Colorado 80634. Jean will be laid to rest at Sunset Memorial Gardens, 3400 W. 28th Street, Greeley, Colorado 80634.
