Mary Josephine Ray Brown
Published 1:56 pm Friday, March 29, 2013
Mary Josephine Ray Brown
March 25, 2013
Mary Josephine Ray Brown, of Birmingham, passed away quietly on Monday evening, March 25, 2013, while surrounded by her family.
She was a few days into her 86th year.
To those who knew her, Mary Jo was an example. Throughout her life and final illness, Mary Jo responded to all things with a preternatural compassion and patience. Of the many things she was and is no longer, her manner of life remains her legacy.
Mary Jo was born March 22, 1927, to Theodore and Effie Conway in Hackleburg. She was a loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, and an adoring grandmother.
Mary Jo was predeceased by her parents, her siblings, Theta and Kermit Conway, and her husband Conder Plumer “Pete” Ray (1961) and husband Dennis J. Brown (1972).
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Connie Ray and Richard Stockham, of Birmingham; grandson, Nathaniel “Nate” Stockham, of Stanford, Calif.; brother and sister-in-law, Hudon and Nadine Conway and nephew Hudon Conway Jr. and wife, Barbara, all of Houston, Texas; great-god-daughter, Phillips Thomas, of Tuscaloosa ; great-god-son, Richard Bass of Birmingham; sisters-in-law Guynell Sanders and husband, Gay, of Birmingham, and Ann Vickery and husband, Crockett, of Double Springs; and brothers-in-law Jimmy Ray and wife, Jean, of Vernon, Max Ray and wife, Carole, of Hackleburg, and Wayne Ray and wife, Lela, of Russellville; close cousin, Margaret Gray, of Birmingham; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and cousins.
Mary Jo had the great fortune to be surrounded by wonderful people, especially in her last days. The family is especially appreciative to Tamika Reese, Joseph Gitau, and the many other generous nurses and aides at South Haven Health and Rehabilitation.
Arrangements are being handled by Pinkard Funeral Home of Russellville. There was a graveside service at Hackleburg’s Cedar Tree Cemetery on Thursday, March 28, 2013.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Hackleburg Schools Relief Fund.
