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Obit For Jennie Belle (Pharis) Ray
Headline OUR MOTHER IS DEAD
Text As a beautiful October day was fading into night a spirit as beautiful and as clean as the blue skies of heaven was taken from earth and returned to God who gave it, when Mrs. Charles Ray’s beautiful and useful life came to an end peacefully at the Barry County Hospital Tuesday, October 2, 1945, at five o’clock.

The passing came at a time when she seemed to be feeling better and was taking some interest in her surroundings, following a coma which had lasted since Saturday.

Jennie Belle Pharis was born on January 21, 1868, at the home of her parents, the late Pat and Columbia Pharis, pioneer residents of Barry County. She was united in marriage to the late Charles Ray on Marc 23 1882. Mr. Ray preceded her in death on February 28, 1927.

The marriage was blessed by the birth of six children. They are: Mrs. C.M. Roberson, Neosho; Mrs. L.J. Mitchell, Springfield. Mrs. Missie Pearl, Mrs. Bland Hawk, Means Ray and John Ray of Cassville. In addition she leaves six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. A devoted sister, Mrs. W.E. Thomas, of Kansas City survives. Two sisters and a brother preceded her in death. They are: Mrs. Helen G. Hobbs and Mrs. C.C. Martin and Blonville Pharis.

Mrs. Ray was a devout and consistent member of the Christian Church and until poor health overtook her, was active in the affairs of the church. She had been in poor health for 15 years but would not let this deter her from coming to the Democrat office to take part in the management of its affairs and counsel and guide those entrusted in managing its affairs. Her instructions were always to be fair, lenient and fearlessly honest in the paper’s policy and business dealings. She lived with the motto: Malice toward none but charity for all. It was followed steadfastly with particular emphasis on charity. Her doings were her own secret to enjoy and revere as having done a duty well. Here every thought was for then the underprivileged.

The love for Barry County and people was but natural for it only followed the teachings of her parents and the thought of her late husband. She really and truly lived the spirit of her pioneer forbearers to hold friendship and loyalty a sacred trust.

Mrs. Ray came from a family which was among the first to settle in Barry County and she lived in Cassville from the day she has born until she died. Her maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Littleberry Mason settled in Missouri before it was admitted to statehood and almost half of Cassville is on land once owned by him or his father. On Missouri’s admission to statehood, Mr. Mason was selected as the first representative of this district to the Missouri State Senate. Both lived and died here and are buried in Oak Hill Cemetery.

In her passing “Grandma” and “ Aunt Jennie,” as she was called by so many, will be with us no more but she had left a heritage which is so rich in fond memories of a life lived so well it will inspire her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends to a greater and better life. That we should all have the power and strength to live as she would have us do is a thought uppermost in our minds.

Funeral services will be held at the Koon Funeral Home at 2:00 o’clock Friday afternoon. Services will be in charge of the Rev. C.I. Kenny, pastor of the Christian Church with a short talk by an old friend, D. H. Kemp. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Research Note: Missouri Death Cert. #36550
Name: Jennie Ray
Born: Jan. 21, 1868, Barry Co., MO
Parents: D. P. and Columbia Pharis
Died: Oct. 2, 1945 - Barry Co. Clinic, Cassville, Barry Co., MO
Burial: Oak Hill Cemetery, Barry Co., MO
Newspaper or Funeral Home Cassville Democrat
Date Oct. 4, 1945
Death Cert Link Death Certificate
Resource Cassville Democrat
Submitted by Barbara Erwin