Thomasine Whitworth Ray, of West Helena, AR was born Sunday, February 1, 1925 in the small rural community of Hattieville, in Conway County Arkansas to Daisy Carlon and Lester Whitworth.  Thomasine left her earthly home Sunday, January 29th, 2023, 3 days short of her 98 ^th birthday, with her family at her side.

Thomasine and her family lived in Hattieville on the family's farm where she shared childhood memories with her parents and 4 siblings; Carlon, Euleta, Floella, and Charles.  She and her siblings attended a one room school until the age of 16, when her family moved to Helena.  Her paternal grandparents, John and Dora Whitworth, heard that things were really booming in Helena so they sent word to Daisy and Lester.  It wasn't long before Lester sold the family's farm, loaded up all their belongings and moved to Helena.  It didn't take long for them to realize that things were a lot different than they were back home.  At the age of 17 Thomasine and her older sister Euleta dropped out of school to join the workforce to help supplement the family's income, working at Woolridge Knitting mill.

Thomasine soon met and married Perry Ray.  Together they had 10 children.  Perry had children from a previous marriage whom Thomasine often welcomed into her home and loved them as her own.  She was a devoted and loving mother always putting others first.  She loved the Lord and never missed an opportunity to share the gospel with everyone she came into contact with.  Singing and listening to gospel music was a favorite past time.  She was a faithful member of Twin City Church of Christ for many, many years.

At the age of 50, Thomasine returned to the classroom obtaining a degree in Early Childhood Development, while working at Mid Delta HeadStart and being a full time mother.  This was an accomplishment which she was most proud of and had right to be.  She later was the head teacher at Southland HeadStart until her retirement.

In her spare time, Thomasine loved flowers, gardening and quilting.  A talented seamstress, she often made clothes for herself and for her family.  One Easter in particular, Thomasine made little dresses for her granddaughters.  She would sit up late into the night studying her Bible, many times using a lantern as her only light.

Nothing gave her more pleasure than spending time with her family.  Every Sunday all of her children and grandchildren would gather in her home for dinner after church.  She loved to cook and spend the afternoon sitting around the dinner table.

Survivors include her children, Sandra (Cecil) Charlton of Redfield; Robert (Billie Jean) Ray, Rufus (Gwin) Ray, of West Helena; David Ray of Jonesboro; Barbara (Dale) Burton of Helena; Hazel (Edward) Rice of Pine Bluff; Lou (Larry) Smart of West Helena; Sheila (Carl) Knuckles of Poplar Grove; Michael Ray of Jonesboro; Kim Layton of Pocahontas; step daughter Lou Olivares of West Helena; step son R.P. Ray of West Helena; a host of  grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and special sister in law, Sarah Whitworth of Sheridan, whom she loved dearly.

Thomasine was predeceased by her parents and siblings; husband Perry Ray; infant daughter, Donna Carol; step children Addie Lee; Doyle; Helen; Odis; and Wilmer; son in law Mike Layton; grandsons, James Ronald and Joe Cissell; great-grandaughter, Sarah James Warren; and great-great-grandson, Beau Whitman Taylor.

Special thanks to Elite Hospice and her caregivers Margaret Trotter and Mary Jane Patterson, grandson Jay McDonald for all the love and care they provided to our mother.

Visitation will be Saturday, February 4 at 12:00 at Cypert Church of Christ, 2222 Highway 318, Marvell, AR;  services will follow at 1:00.  Burial will be at Odd Fellows Cemetery in West Helena.  Brother Mark Spencer will officiate.

Grandsons and Great Grandsons will serve as pall bearers; Johnny McDonald, Jason Ray, Cody Long, Russell Terry, Lester Taylor, Hunter Mauldin, Wayne Knuckles and Robert Ray, Jr.

Memorials made be made to: Children's Homes Inc.  5515 Walcott Road, Paragould, AR  72450.