Shirley Ray

Shirley Ann Ray, 74, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, June 30, 2010, at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, Iowa


Shirley was born June 18, 1936, in Hartford, Wisconsin, the daughter of James and Ina Lucille (Bickett) Johnson. Her parents later moved to Atlantic where she was raised. She attended the Atlantic Community Schools and obtained her high school diploma from Atlantic High School.

On April 3, 1954, she was united in marriage to Harold "Shorty" Ray in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Shirley and Harold had two children, Doug and Debra. She and Harold farmed in Grant, Griswold, Imogene and Lewis before retiring in Atlantic. In addition to 47 years farming with her husband, Shirley also was employed for several years at the Color Spot Paint Store, Schweser's and most recently A-Plus Design, all in Atlantic.

Shirley treasured the years spent on the farm and loved family life. Many happy times were spent when she and Shorty went camping. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, church activities and being in the Red Hat Society. She valued the years she worked in retail businesses in Atlantic.

She was an active member of the BPO Does for many years as well as being a member of the First Church of Christ in Atlantic and the Church of Christ in Lewis.

Survivors include her son, Doug Ray and his wife, Mary of Atlantic; her grandchildren, Courtney Ray of Atlantic, Ryan Ray of Atlantic, Draper Ray and his wife Angela of Bettendorf, IA, Garsten Ray and significant other Angie Gillis of Greenfield, IA, Jason Albert and his wife Melissa of Atlantic, Carrie Albert and Wynn Winston of Atlantic; her great-grandchildren, Spencer Ray, Brynna Ray, Taylor Jessen all of Atlantic; Carson Ray, Holly Ray and Gabrielle Millhollin all of Bettendorf, IA; Jacob Albert, Eric Albert and Ashlynn Albert all of Atlantic; her sister, Dorothy Bokan of Lewis; her aunt, Thelma Edwards of Atlantic; and other family and friends.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Harold "Shorty" Ray; her daughter, Debra Jo Ray; and her parents.

The funeral service for Shirley will be held Saturday, July 3, 2010, at 10:30 a.m., at the First Church of Christ in Atlantic, Iowa.

Visitation will be Friday, July 2, 2010, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Atlantic, Iowa.

Burial will be in the Oakwood Cemetery in Lewis, Iowa.

Family and friends are invited for lunch in the church fellowship hall following the committal services.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.