Barbara Ray

For the last 88 years, our world has been blessed with the presence of the beautiful soul that was Barbara Joan Ray. On October 17, 2020 she fell asleep at her home in Waxahachie, and flew away to the arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ. She went by many names- Barbara, Joan (pronounced Jo-Ann), Mother, Grandma, Gaga, Gigi, and Memaw. She was deeply loved by many. She is survived by three beautiful daughters, Deborah Ann (Knight) and her husband Michael, Judith Lynn Ray, and Lora Jayne (Armstrong) all of Texas. She was loved and adored by her eight grandchildren, Jason Michael Knight and his wife Bridgette of Colorado, David Alan Knight of Colorado, BreAnne Elizabeth (Knight) Lee and her husband Matthew of Texas, Christopher Scott Miller and his wife Keri of Texas, Jennifer Rae (Miller) Batts and her husband Christopher of Texas, Kevin Daniel Armstrong of Texas, Billy Wayne Armstrong of Texas, and Cassie LynAnn Armstrong of Texas. She was also blessed to be able to know, love, and pray over sixteen great-grandchildren, Jared, Skylar, Isabella, Avery, Keara, Major, Johnathan, Zack, Matthew, Jordan, Anise, Ryan, Timothy, Hunter, D.J., and Kirsten, ranging in ages from 22 years to less than one year old. She also leaves behind many precious nieces and nephews. She was met in celebration at Heaven's gate by her husband, Billy Wayne Ray, who has been patiently waiting for their reunion since 2002, her parents- Hilda Crane (Perkins) and Preston Corbin Godfrey, her brothers Jack Corbin Godfrey and Jimmy Preston Godfrey, her sister, Jewell "Judy" Marie (Godfrey) Gray, and her grandson, William Aaron Miller.

Barbara was born in DeLeon, Comanche, Texas on May 28, 1932, and was the oldest of four children. She came into this world with a fighting spirit and maintained her fiery personality all through her life. She spent her life as a domestic goddess raising her family and praying fervently over each of them. She built a beautiful life with her loving husband, Billy, or as she called him- B.W. And when you read that, know she always said it "Bee Dubya".

Barbara lived many places throughout her life including, DeLeon TX, Lubbock TX, Portland OR, Houston TX, Dallas TX, and of course Mineola, TX where she spent a large part of her life living with her husband in their "mansion on the hill". There are many memories of swingsets, pecan trees, flower gardens, typewriters, meatloaf and mashed potatoes, family, and love for all who knew her and visited her there.

She was an independent woman who liked to do things her own way. She did not like to be worried over and was always more concerned with the needs of others. In her later years she lived in Waxahachie with her second daughter, Judi, who took as much care of her as Barbara would let her. She was never afraid to tell anyone what she thought they needed to know. She was spunky and sassy and the older she got the less of a filter she had (and she was proud of that!)

But for all of her sass, she was full of wisdom. In a note she wrote for herself she said "The secret of happiness- Be satisfied. Be grateful for what you have, for the love you receive and for what God has given you." That wisdom she got from conquering life's hurdles (like getting her GED in her 60s! Woohoo!) but most importantly from the Word of God. She LOVED Jesus and studied His Word daily. Her family has always been covered in prayer and she would proudly and loudly claim goodness for them all in Jesus' name while rebuking the bad. She was always very vocal and shared the love of Jesus unashamedly. Because of this, those who are left here on Earth are confident that we WILL see her again.

One of her favorite hymns was "I'll Fly Away" and she would tell us all that she would fly away. And that we shouldn't be sad when she does because she is dancing on streets of gold with Jesus and has left the troubles and trials of this world behind. She has finished her to-do list and her husband is no longer waiting for her. November 7, will be Barbara and Billy's 70th wedding anniversary and they will be celebrating together, while we all rejoice with them here on Earth.

Her spirit is flying high with Jesus. In lieu of a service or flowers, the family asks that donations be made to a Christian-based charity close to your heart, in her name.