Clara Opal Ray

Clara Opal Ray, 95, of Bolivar, passed away Friday, November 30, 2018 at Decatur County Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Parsons.

The widow of Melvin Ray, she was a homemaker. She was born June 29, 1923 in Hardeman County, daughter of the late Richard Edward Howell and Hattie Marshall Howell and lived all of her life in Hardeman County. On February 6, 1949, she married Melvin Ray, who preceded her in death in 2008. She was a voracious reader and enjoyed listening to gospel music and working outside in her flowers and garden. Mrs. Ray was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Bartlett and former member of Hebron Baptist Church.

Survivors include a daughter and her husband, Charlotte (Jim) Shephard of Bartlett; a son and his wife, H. Rick (Carolyn) Ray of Bath Springs, TN; four grandsons, Richard, Jay and Joshua Ray and William Durham, Jr.; a great granddaughter, Rianna Ray; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Roger Ray in 2004 and four brothers, Floyd, Gerald, Herman and Eddie Howell. Memorial contributions in her name may be sent to Hebron Cemetery Fund.