Funeral services for Juanita Marietta (Duesler) Ray, 97, of Chickasha, will be held Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. in the Ferguson Funeral Home Chapel with Ronald Faulkinberry officiating.
Juanita Marietta (Duesler) Ray was born January 27, 1917 in Shamrock, Oklahoma to Floyd and Sylvia Duesler. She died at her home in Chickasha Saturday, November 1, 2014. She had been in the care of her grandson, Scott Ray, for the last fourteen years.
Juanita grew up in Cement and graduated from Cement High School at the age of sixteen. In her day, Juanita (known as Punk to her friends) was an all-state basketball player, who led her team to the women’s state championship. She was also an accomplished tennis player. After high school, she attended OCW in Chickasha pursuing a degree in Home Economics and Spanish.
Juanita married her high school sweetheart, G.H. Ray II, on January 5, 1936 and they were united in marriage for 62 years. G.H. fondly referred to her as ‘Peaches.’ They had four children, Kenneth Wayne, Barbara Jan, Jerry Scott, and George Hendrix III.
Her love of sports was apparent as she sat in the stands watching every game in which her children participated. Eventually it was her grandchildren whose sports activities she faithfully supported.
Mrs. Ray was a member of Word of Life Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, G.H. Ray; daughter Barbara Jan (Ray) Hawkins; son, Kenneth Wayne Ray; brothers, Robert and Richard Duesler; and granddaughters, Jana Hawkins and Tracey Ray.
Survivors include son, Jerry Scott Ray and his wife, Beth, of Skiatook; son, George Hendrix Ray III of Hot Springs, Arkansas; grandson and longtime caregiver, Scott Ray of Chickasha; daughter-in-law, Joyce Ray; grandchildren, Jani Aman, Tony Ray, Diane Bittner, Brian Williams, Gavin Hawkins, Brett Hawkins, Misty Friend, Melonie Ray, Hank Ray, Brian Ray, Shelley Ray, Billy Ray, Rick Ray, and Jenny Ray; friend and caregiver, Brenda Rodgers; and numerous great-grandchildren and great great-grandchildren; as well as extended family and friends.
Interment will be in Rose Hill Cemetery under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home.