Mrs Brenda was and still is one of the sweetest and most loyal people I know. She was a woman of God and integrity, which go hand-in-hand. Although I didn’t get to spend as much alone time with her as I had wanted, she always welcomed me in her heart and her home, helping me to feel safe even if I was hundreds of miles away from my own mother and family. During one of the most difficult times in my life she was there to offer support and encourage me with loving Brenda Kay Ray words that still help me to this day. I’ll never forget what she said and I’ll never forget visiting her in the hospital one of the last times and that big beautiful smile that could illuminate any room you were blessed to be in with her. Oh and Mrs Brenda, I saw a double-rainbow right after you passed last week and I saw another one today (after your funeral)! Those aren’t common so I know it isn’t coincidence, SO thank you and Love you always!

Dear Freddie and family, we are so sorry for your loss.  I didn't know Brenda well but what I did know of her I remember she was
always smiling and that's a good memory to have of someone.  You have always been there for both Bill and my family and our prayers go out to yours.  Brenda will be resting high on that mountain!

On behalf of the Ohio State Association of Free Will Baptists, we offer our sincere condolences to the Ray family.  We truly appreciate the ministry of Brother Freddie and Sister Brenda. God has truly used you both in a great way. 
You will be greatly missed.
May the Lord bless.
Rev. Edwin Hayes
Executive Secretary
Ohio State Association of Free Will Baptists

To the Ray family, my deepest condolences go out to you.  I loved Brenda's heart!  She will be greatly missed.

May God bless and keep you through this difficult time.

Doris

I am so sorry for the loss of Brenda. She was so kind and genuine. I will forever cherish all the time I got to spend with the Ray family. You guys always made me feel like family and feel so very loved. My thoughts and prayers go out to the whole family. See you again someday Brenda Ray love you ❤️

I'm lucky and proud to have a lifetime of memories of Brenda Ray.  So many I would like to share but not enough space. Brenda was so inviting to a shy 12 year old in the spring of 1986. There are so many words I think of when I think of Brenda. Loving, friendly, infectious smile and personality, accepting, god serving, wife, hard worker and the list could go on forever. Mom is main word, she was a mom to so many of us, proud of us no matter what. Would listen, talk and guide us with such simple concepts. I don't know if many people knew of the teenage flop house that she ran on 88th street in the late 80's and early 90's but boy it was fun and molded so many of us. I think of a time Brenda made honey ham around a holiday. 30 plus years later, still maybe the best food I ever ate. Brenda always told me to remember that women are "catty".  Look that one up, surprising a women would admit that and share that secret with the opposite sex. I liked so many of the church activities with Brenda but the hot dog sales and homecomings were the best. My favorite memory is stupid, funny and happened 7 days a week for about 7 years of my life. Brenda would either sleep to about 4pm after working all night or would get home from work about that time. I would spend most of my day beating up on Freddie in Bases Loaded or Double Dribble on Nintendo in Greg and Eric's room while they slept. He wouldn't let me stop playing as he was obsessed with winning just one time. The countdown would come for when Brenda would be awake or come through the door. Freddie and I often scrambled to straighten and clean (sometimes Eric). Often Freddie would have "church duties" (wink, wink) about the time she was to come home. Brenda would come through the door like a hurricane if the house was a mess (often was), she would be screaming, even would drag Greg out of bed before his 6p rise time. You can't replace those memories. I'm so glad that I was part of her life. Love you forever!

Prayers and condolences to Brenda's family.  I worked at MetroHealth and interacted with Brenda on many occasions.  May she rest in peace.


Dear Freddie, Greg,  and Eric.   Brenda was the best wife and mother anyone could  ever hope for.  She was also a very best friend to Connie and me.  We had so many memories  of her that it is hard to pick one out.  Thank Almighty God for memories!  Our family has had to call on Freddie and Brenda for their help by praying with us and for us.  We thoroughly enjoyed the many visits we had with them in Cleveland and also when  the two of them would visit us.  Connie and Brenda were especially close.  They especially loved to go shopping together.  This has left a hole in  her heart.  But I know that she will fill it with memories!  We  love the Ray family and always have considered them to be  a part  of our family.  Our  heart goes out to you all at this time of  need.  Although  we cannot be there in person we are with you  spiritually.  Brenda will be greatly  missed.  Love you all!

I was blessed with the best mother in law anyone could ask for. She always treated me like a daughter and would tell people I was her daughter all the time. The feeling was mutual. In addition to a mother, she was a great friend. She was always there to listen, sympathize, and offer advice on so many things. She was kind to everyone she met and always put everyone's needs and wants before her own. She called everyone "honey" even if she just met you. I always loved and will miss that. Last week I came across a picture of the day we first met in 1992 at a Turkey Bowl Greg was playing in. I remember being nervous to meet her, but that instantly faded upon talking to her that day. She was so accepting and genuine. The world lost a truly wonderful human being and I will miss her every day. Rest in peace, mom. 

my grammy was always such a loving and kind soul, and everyone she knew loved her so much, and she loved them all back. all she ever wanted was to make sure everyone was happy and had everything they wanted. she always treated me like a princess and never let me be alone. she always made sure i knew i was loved. i’ll never forget all the vacations, holidays, birthdays and countless days i spent with her. and i will cherish them all forever. i’m so blessed to have known and been loved by such an amazing woman. as much as i wish i could hold her one last time and hear one of her funny remarks, i know she’s telling her mommy and daddy all about her life with everyone she knew. i love you forever grammy. save me a seat on your amazing porch i’m sure you have up in heaven. i promise i’ll see you again someday. rest easy my sweet angel 🌹💕

I am so sorry for your loss, she was a very special lady and will be missed greatly, the world lost an amazing soul! Sending thought and prayers to the family! 

I love you Brenda. I'm gonna miss that beautiful smile and that contagious laugh. It wouldn't matter how sad you were her laugh would make you laugh too. I'll never ever forget that laugh. She had a heart of Gold. I will miss you my beautiful cousin. Until we meet again one sweet day.  Xoxo

I remember going to church at Bethel Church ,pastor Freddie and Brenda were awesome church family,I’m sorry to hear of her passing,I will be praying for the family,she will surely be missed.

No matter how busy Brenda was she would take time to help others, I attended Fulton Rd church , I had a surgery at Metro where Brenda worked and I was petrified, Brenda said she would go with me and pray with me until I went in, the surgery kept getting pushed later and later in the day I didn't get called back until around 10 at night and she stayed with and comforted me all that time.  Several years later  one of my sons passed away of crib death at 2 months and 3 days old, Pastor Freddie and Brenda came to my house and prayed with me and said they would stay as long as I needed.  They have been a great blessing to our family  and we are grateful to have known such a wonderful loving woman.  And to have been a part of the church.  Prayers for comfort and peace for all that loved her and who will miss her greatly.  She is with the Lord now, Praise God!

Remembering my niece Brenda
When I was about 15 years old. I babysit for Arlo And Loretta. Brenda was about 2 years old. I was polishing the end tables in the living room and here is Brenda coming behind me with a wet washcloth she had got from the bathroom when I asked her what she was doing she said cleaning.
Sometimes she would call me and say I'm coming over and you know what I want. Pinto beans, coleslaw, cornbread, and fried potatoes. And if I had banana bread she wanted cream cheese. Good thing I had a pressure cooker. She would say you better call Judy and Audrey because you know what they say , I'm your favourite. I love all my nieces we've had a lot of fun times. I will see you again Brenda in heaven. She always would say "Love you"  

I have so many memories with Brenda but the one that comes to mind is when me and Jesse Dawson was going to revivals with Brenda and Freddie and we went into this one church and Brenda told us guys now they don’t clap or shout or anything so make sure you don’t do that here so we went in the church and everybody was shouting and clapping hands we looked at Brenda and she just started laughing and said I swear they used to didn’t do it then we went to another church she said now usually  when you go to the altar to pray the men go to one side and the women go to the other she said they don’t pray on the same side so when everybody went up to pray they were all up there together once again Brenda started laughing her contagious laugh she said I’m not telling you guys nothing else because I’m being made out to be a liar and we always talked and laughed about that when we got together Sitting around the table at moms reminiscing. She will be missed so much because she was loved so much. We’ve got more to go to Heaven for 💕

Brenda always had a beautiful smile and lots of love to give💓💐

My favorite memory with my mamaw was when we would be upstairs in my room trying to fall asleep and she'd be there with me so I wouldn't be scared. I'll never forget when she'd say my mom wouldn't let me go back because I would stay awake so late. That'd always make me scared because she, is in fact, one of my favorite people in the world and I couldn't imagine being away from mamaw. I love her so much, I always will. After calling her an angel all this time she officially is one. I am so blessed to have had fifteen years with her. She's perfect. I miss her more than anything. I hope she's telling her mommy and daddy about me right now. 

MY MEMORY IS SUCH A SWEET ONE....I ATTEND THE CHURCH WERE BRENDA& FREDDY WENT...EVERY TIME I SEEN THESE PEOPLE MY HEART ALWAYS FELT WARM.... AND THE FIRST TIME I WENT AND KNEELED AT THE ALTER BRENDA CAME AND KNEELED BESIDE ME AND JUST FEELING HER THERE MADE ME FEEL SO SPECIAL SHE GAVE ME A HUG AND TOLD ME SHE LOVED ME....IM SO SORRY FOR HER PASSING BUT I KNOW SHES GOING TO BE MISSED BY SO MANY AND REMEMBERING HER WILL BE SO EASY.....LOVE THE FAMILY AND YOUR IN MY PRAYERS...

Hi Freddy Ray, So sorry for your loss we have known you & Brenda for so long. She was a very sweet girl. God bless

In the sweet by and by, we shall meet on that beautiful shore!  I will always cherish our friendship and the memories through the years. I love you Brenda Kay Ray!! I thank God for giving me, you!! RIP with Jesus....until we meet again!!

Bro. Freddy. I am so sorry to hear of sis. Brendas passing. She is rejoicing now in the presence of God. She is where we will be someday. Remember when someone we love becomes a memory that memory becomes a treasure. 
Love and prayers. Rev. Mike and Angel Sollars. Rittman Ohio.

We know we should rejoice cause to be absent here is to be with God but our hearts long for the gleam in your eyes, the smile on your face, that electrifying  laugh and the warmth of your touch.  We will miss you and all the great influence you have on so many.  Your love will continue with us until we meet again on the banks of that heavenly shore.  May all your loved ones feel the peace of knowing you love them and that you are always connected to them.  We love you Brenda.  Go rest High on His Mountain. 

Brenda came to WV with Freddie, little did she know he brought her to our Little church homecoming.. she fell in love with my blackberry cobbler!!  Freddie, she can have all the cobbler she wants now. I do know that Brenda was the BEST thing to happen to my “holler” nephew!!!Love to all the family.

Brenda, you weren't just a mom to Greg&Eric, you were a mom to our neighborhood. You loved us and we loved you. I can't express truly what you meant to me.  I love you and thank you for the incredible impact you had on my life.  

Brenda was my oldest cousin on our mothers side, we shared the same birthday 14 years apart. That made my day all the more special. I was 4 years old when I was her flower girl, I still have the Bible that was given to me from her and Fred. When I had my kindergarten pictures taken she was the one who fixed my hair into pigtails. When I was younger if I wasn't home I was with Brenda and Fred. I will truly miss her for the rest of my life 💔. My birthday will never be the same. 💜😓

My father is Roger Ray, Freddy's brother. She was a massive part of my childhood, and the best parts of it! I love every thing about her. The world isn't as warm without her smile in it. I miss her with every thing that I am. Love you, Aunt Brenda... Hugs sent to my Uncle Freddy and my cousins Eric and Greg. 

Brenda Kay Ray was my best friend for 51 years.  When I went to the altar to accept Jesus in my life, this younger girl came up beside me and prayed sincerely for me. I thought what a prayer warrior. I was 16. I have never forgot that. I said, Lord, I can serve you, too.  Later we would set on the porch of her house in Cleveland and watch her boys and all the neighborhood boys, and tell them if we ask you a question, we already know the answer. So, my friend, upon your Graduation this time first, I will see you later....

I remember y’all came to my mountain retreat and I didn’t know Brenda was allergic to down feathers, she had an allergy attack, but thank God she got better! We drove to see these beautiful mountains and the Breaks Park! So many times you would be at Drema’s but that time you came to me, such sweet memories. My prayers are for you Freddie, your family and Brenda’s family!

My funniest memory is driving in the snow with the top down on her convertible when she got it. She was always loving and understanding she was my confidant and my best friend loved her so much and I miss her dearly I love you Brenda K Ray.And I miss you dearly

Brenda you were like a second mother to me. All of my best childhood memories include you and the Ray family including going to Florida on  vacation when Eric was starting college. I spent so much time at your house and you were always so welcoming and loving. You treated me like one of your own kids. You will forever be loved and never forgotten.  Love you Brenda 

It hurts my heart to even think about writing this but Brenda Ray wasn’t just one of my 2 childhood best friends mother she was like a second mother to me and my brother Nader her doors were open to us 24 hours a day. They say GOD takes the best of them well let me just say GOD by far has one of the most loving person I have ever known . We will all miss you Mrs.Brenda Ray but never ever forgotten so many great memories that included you will always be forever instilled in my heart..... 

Aunt Brenda will be remembered by many things she has done in her life . As for my fondest memory of Aunt Brenda is her laugh . It was infectious no matter what the topic she was laughing at . You couldn’t help but to giggle with her or at her . She was the first one to take to me when I joined the family and would always make me feel welcomed no matter where we were - I believe they used to call us “trouble makers” together .  Another wonderful person has been called to watch over us ❤️❤️

OBITUARY

Brenda K. Ray

October 25, 1954 – June 9, 2020

Craciun Funeral Home

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