Mary Frances Ray Rich

Services for Mary Frances Ray Rich, of Gladewater will be held at Hiett"s LyBrand Funeral Chapel in Wills Point, Texas, Friday, November 25, 2011 at 10:00 am. Visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Hiett"s-Lybrand Funeral Chapel followed by graveside services at White Rose Cemetery at Wills Point with Pastor Benjamin Bright and Larry W. Osborne officiating. Mary Frances went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, November 21, 2011. She was born on March 23, 1925 in Wills Point to Arvin Gideon and Mary Anne Young Ray. Mary graduated from Wills Point High School and upon graduation went to work to help the war effort at Firestone Tire and Rubber Co in Dallas, Texas. Because of her petite size and courageous spirit she was asked if she would be willing to go inside Aircraft fuel tanks in order to seal the inside of the tanks with rubber. This was to prevent the fuel tanks from exploding during WWII combat mission. Though intensely fearful of the claustrophobic condition within the tanks, Mary faithfully fulfilled her responsibility. Mary married Allen B. Rich in June 6, 1954. Mary and Allen made their home in Overton, Texas for the next 20 years until moving to Gladewater in 1974. Mary worked in the banking business in both Overton and Gladewater, and in 1984 became the office manager at Ellis Dental office in Gladewater for Dr. Michael Ellis where she remained until her retirement in 1994. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, faithfully singing in the choir from 1974 to 2004, the 20th C Sunday School Class, Creative Christians, B. S. F. and the Gladewater Garden and Music Clubs. She was preceded in death by her husband, Allen B. Rich; her parents, Mr. & Mrs. A. G. Ray, her brothers and sisters, Elton Ray, A. G. Ray, Jr., Wesley G. Ray, Lester R. (Buddy) Ray, Esther Ray Arnold, Ollie Mae Ray Page, Robert Lee Ray and Haskell E. Ray. Survivors include daughter, Rosemary; her faithful Chihuahua and grand dog Hallie and many loved nieces and nephews. Mary loved the Lord and was known by all that knew her as someone that radiated love and caring for others. She could fill a room with laughter blessing others with her bright and beautiful spirit. When you were around Mary, no matter how bad you felt, she could make you feel better. She loved much and was loved much. She will be missed by all the many whose lives she touched. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made o/o the Allen and Mary Ray Rich Memorial Fund to The Humane Society of East Texas, P.O. Box 6151, Tyler, Texas.