Elmon Ray

Elmon Ray transitioned from labor to reward on July 7, 2024 in Flowery Branch, Georgia after a brief illness. Elmon, or Mother Ray, as she was affectionately called by all who knew and loved her, was born on January 31, 1938, in Attapulgus, Georgia to Edward and Rossie Ray. When she was six months old, her family migrated north to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she lived most of her life. As a child, she joined and attended Calvary Baptist church in Philadelphia with her family. Elmon was educated in the Philadelphia School System and graduated from John Bartram High School in 1956. After graduation, she pursued careers at the Quaker City Laundry and as a Nurse’s Assistant at the Bryn Mawr Hospital. She retired from Bell of Pennsylvania after 26 years as a Customer Service Representative. Following her retirement, she moved to Massachusetts where she held several part-time jobs to help maintain her fabulous wardrobe and hairstyles. When Elmon’s daughter, Keya, moved to Georgia, she decided that she would join them so that she could help take care of her grandchildren, Josh and Jessie who were the apple of their Grammy’s eye. She loved celebrating their birthdays. Her favorite thing to do was to light the candles on the cake, turn out the lights, and sing Happy Birthday. Grammy cherished those precious moments and was so proud of her grandchildren. Mother Ray was known for her fashion sense and short hairstyles which she liked “fried, dyed, and laid to the side.” Mother Ray never met a stranger and was beloved by everyone she met. She was proud of being a Deaconess at the Union Baptist Church in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She also served on the Mother’s Board and head of the Pastor Support Ministry for Rev. John W. Harris at the Thankful Baptist Church of Kennesaw, Georgia. Elmon loved worshipping at St. James United Methodist Church in Alpharetta, Georgia under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Michael T. McQueen. Mother Ray’s funny skits, sayings, and desire to be the clean Madea in Tyler Perry movies kept many in the churches she attended laughing. She also imparted wisdom and was never ashamed to tell the story of her life, warts and all, so that women, especially younger women could be free from the shame of their mistakes and become all they were created to be in Christ. Mother Ray was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Rossie Ray, and a sister, Mary Anne Ray. She is survived by her daughter, Reverend Keya Hillman; grandson, Joshua Hillman; granddaughter, Jessica Hillman; two sisters, Joeddie (George) Cooper and Carrie Crane; and a host of family and friends.

Elmon Ray

January 31, 1938 - July 7, 2024