FLORENCE LORENE (STEPHENS) RAY

Florence Lorene (Stephens) Ray, 96, of Republic passed away on March 9, 2024, at Sonshine Manor in Republic. She was born on Aug. 12, 1927, the only daughter and youngest child of Monte and Mamie (Dollar) Stephens. She was of baptist faith.
On Jan. 24, 1948, she married Lawrence Ray. They were married 61 years before his passing in 2009.
During World War II, she obtained a teaching certificate at SBU and taught in a one-room school before marrying Lawrence.
She is survived by her sons, Larry (Jeanne) Ray of Springfield and Gary (Debbie) Ray of Republic; four grandchildren; a step-granddaughter; seven great-grandchildren; Brynn Cullen; Taylor Cullen; her sister-in-law and dear friend, Dorothy Hopwood; and many other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence; her parents; and brothers: Jim, Clarence, Virgil, and Reid, and a daughter-in-law, Judith Ray.
Graveside services were held on Tuesday, March 12, at  Missouri Veterans Cemetery.