Mary Gale Ray

Mary Gale Ray of Lavaca, Arkansas, passed away Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at her home. She was born on January 10, 1943, in Lavaca to the late Clinton Austin Stem and Mary Lou (Rucker) Stem. She was 82 years old. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 57 years, Ben J. Ray; a sister, Susie Stem; and a brother, Don Stem.

Mary was born in Lavaca in 1943 and moved to California shortly after with her family. She graduated from Orange High, met and married Benny and were married for 57 years. She lived in Washington State for several years until moving back to Lavaca where she owned and operated Rays R Back Real estate until finally retiring last year.

Mary first and foremost loved the Lord Jesus Christ and served Him until her last breath. Her greatest joys in life were her family and church. (Often hard to tell which had priority). She was a woman of many talents and loved to share those with everyone. Teaching her 3 year old Sunday School Class for 47 years gave her so much happiness. Her love of music was on display every Sunday as she played the piano or organ at nearly every church she attended, playing the organ for First Baptist Lavaca for nearly 50 years. Mary was well known for her wedding cakes and her tremendous ability to sew was on display. Whether it was altering clothes for those who needed it, making tuxedos for all the groomsmen at Ron and Cindy’s wedding, or simply making “night gowns” to give away. Mary was very involved in her community as well, she was on the Lavaca Election Commission as well as the City Planning Commission. She was “Real Estate Broker of the Year” many times over. There are so many things that can be said of Mary, but “Faithful” was probably the best word to describe her. To her Lord, family, friends, community and acquaintances, she was always reliable, friendly (never met a stranger) and loving.

Funeral service will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, September 22nd, at Lavaca First Baptist Church, with Pastor Steven Smithson and Darrel Ray officiating. Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Fort Smith National Cemetery, under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home and Flower Shop in Charleston.

She is survived by three sons, Ron Ray and wife Cindy of Lavaca, Darrel Ray and wife Tonia of Conway, and Steve Ray of Lavaca; a sister, Sharon Saugstad of Eugene, Oregon; a brother, Mark Stem and wife Alice of Anaheim, California; four grandchildren, Shyla Hamrick, Scott Ray, Nathan Ray and wife Andi, and Hannah Ray; one great-grandchild, Xade Hamrick, and one more on the way.

Pallbearers will be Brent Graham, Mark Headley, Scott Ray, Xade Hamrick, Dane Douglas, and Nathan Ray.