Mary M. Herring Shinley Ray

MARY M. HERRING SHINLEY RAY, 95, passed from this life September 24, 2022, in her home cared for by her family and Arkansas Hospice home care. Mary was preceded in death by her parents; siblings; two husbands; and most of her contemporaries. She is survived by her children, Sandra, Andrea, Dwight, and David; and many, many descendants. A lifelong animal lover, she also left behind an elderly dog, Skippy, and a blue Quaker parrot. Mary was, in her own words, "a tough old bird," having survived many childhood illnesses. She had a determination unmatched by most. As a young mother with four children and a four-seat dining table she was told a leaf could not be put into that family dining table, she prepared the evening meal, then measured and cut the table in half. When he returned from work, she told her husband that dinner would be served when he added a leaf to the table. On another occasion, she was told window could not be placed in the wall above her kitchen sink. She found a window in the barn, measured and cut a hole in the wall and when her husband came in from work told him that he needed to put the window in or be eaten by mosquitos. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to your choice of charities who serve the homeless, survivors of domestic violence or animals. Graveside service will be 10 a.m. Thursday, September 29, 2022, at Hamilton Cemetery in Carlisle, Ark. Online guestbook www.SmithFamilyCares.com