Betty Lou Ray

BETTY LOU RAY, 82, of Little Rock, Ark., passed away on Jan. 23, 2018. She was born in North Little Rock on Feb. 4, 1935 to John Joseph Ray and Mary Dorine Carder Ray. Those who knew Betty would describe her as a vibrant, caring, and active lady. Her smile and outgoing personality are what attributed to the many friendships she accumulated throughout her lifetime. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her support and love will be cherished in our memories. Betty graduated from Little Rock High School in 1953. She met Middleton in Pulaski Heights Baptist Church where they were married in 1954. They soon started a family and raised three children in Little Rock. During that time, she worked at the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs for 30 years. At the age of 40, she began her hobby of running. It became a passion for her. She ran in several marathons as well as joining a group to run across Costa Rica. After her retirement, she was probably just as busy as when she was working. Her love of gardening led her to join two Garden Clubs where she was not only a member but served in officer positions as well. She was active in her church by serving on several committees. For many years, she continued to meet for lunch with her special high school friends, friends from work, and attended events with her friends that she enjoyed running with. Preceded in death by her parents, she is survived by her husband of 63 years, Middleton Pinckney Ray Jr.; children, Cynthia Modlin (Tommy) of Little Rock, Middleton P. Ray III (Kim) of Perryville and Mary Melissa Vines (Richard) of Fayetteville; siblings, Jean Pike of North Little Rock, Judy Clark of Conway, Steve Ray of Parsons, Kansas and Johnny Ray of Conway; grandchildren, Holly King (Chance) of Benton, Sarah Gallardo (Josue) of San Antonio, Texas, Claire Vines of Memphis, Tenn., Lauren Ray (Michael) and Mack Ray, both of McKinney, Texas, and Richard Vines III of Rogers; and great-grandchildren, Whitlee, Kace, Camryn, and Hannah. There will be a Service at Second Presbyterian Church on Feb. 1, 2018 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, AR 72227. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 224-2200. Betty's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.