Clara T Ray

“Mother Ray” as she was affectionately known to family and friends, professed a hope in Christ at a very early age.

Clara attended Midway School in Mississippi. After her studies, she relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana. While in Indiana, she worked at Methodist Hospital in Environmental Services for 35 years.

She was a loving mother of all. She never met a stranger and everyone that came in contact with her became family. She loved lending a helping hand and talking to people. She loved tending to her garden, quilting, cooking and reading her bible.

She called True Vine Missionary Baptist Church her home, were she served as a nurse until she became ill. Even in her sickness, Clara would diligently read her bible and share the word of God.

Clara Ray was preceded in death by her loving parents, Jim and Janie Thames; sons, Jimmie Townsend and Bennie Townsend; sisters, Karimah Abdullah, Stella Jean Thames, Mary Thames, Sherry Corbin; brothers, Charlie John Thames, Tommie Thames, Calvin Thames, and John Henry Thames.

Clara Ray is survived by sons, Walter Townsend and Larry Gale (Huntsville, Alabama); daughter, Janet Gale-Manning; sisters, Queen Gates and Dorothy Nimock-Byers (Sandersville, Mississippi); brother, Mingo Thames (Hattiesburg, Mississippi), 8 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and loved ones.

Her visitation will take place on Saturday, September 27, 2014, 10am to 12pm, with the Homegoing Celebration commencing at 12pm. Her burial will immediately follow in Washington Park East Cemetery.