Bessie Mae

Bessie Mae Ray, age 95 of Mineral Bluff, Ga, passed away Friday, July 6, 2007 at Fannin Regional Hospital. Mrs. Ray was born Sunday, December 10, 1911 in Union Co. Ga. to the late William Abrham Smith and the late Sarah Elizabeth Beavers Smith. A Charter member of the Appalichia Baptist Church she loved crocheting, garden and flowers, She was preceded in death by husband Paul Ray, Sr., brothers, Rev. Walter Smith, Robert Smith, Jess Smith and Jim Samuel Smith, sisters, Lura Arp. Maggie and Mary Smith granddaughter, Michele Ball.

Survivors include: son & daughter-in-law, Paul James & Nellie Ray, Jr. of Lakewood Community, daughter & son-in-law, Madelyn Joyce & Max Zimmerman of Mineral Bluff, son & daughter-in-law, Samuel Leon & Mary Ray of Stone Mountain, daughter & son-in-law, Carolyn Sue & Billy Shields of Mineral Bluff, grandchildren, Marty & Kim, Paula & David, Matthew, Brandi, Melissa, Lana, Shasa, Tina & Shannon, Pam & Scott, Jeff & Tracie, and Judy, several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, Blanche Ganus, Leslie Nichols, Genova Kinser, Regina Smith and Jeanette McClure, Alma Lena, Doris, Marie, Mildred, Reefer, Paul, Joel, Gilbert and J.B.


Funeral services were held Monday, July 9, 2007 at 2:00PM from the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Philip Thomas and Rev. Gary Parris, officiating. Music was provided by the Heavenly Echos. Interment followed in Chastain Memorial Park.
Pallbearers, Jeff Shields, Shannon Gray, Matthew Zimmerman, Jim Gray, Tommy Smith and Jimmy Nichols. Honorary pallbearers, Paul Wehunt Bob Wehunt, Frank Dockery, Kenneth Tarpley, Pat Simmons and Fred Romono.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6-9, Sunday, July 8.

Arrangements entrusted to the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home of Blue Ridge