Earlene Westbrook Ray

SeaSonS of Life

“To everything, there is a seacon and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

“A Time to be Born”

Earlene Westbrook Ray was born on February 24, 1928, in Brunswick, Tennessee, to the late Raymond Westbrook and the late Essie Odom Westbrook.

She committed her life to Christ at an early age at Fullview Missionary Baptist Church in Ellendale, Tennessee. She later joined St. Augustine Catholic Church in Memphis, Tennessee, where she was a devout member for 60 years.

“A Time to Plant”

She was united in holy matrimony to Cicroe Ray, Jr. on December 27, 1947. This loving union was blessed with a daughter, Dianne, and a son, Carl. She was a loving and faithful wife and a strong, caring, and giving mother. Her love and compassion were not limited to her immediate family but were extended to her entire family, friends, and anyone she was in contact with. She was selfless, always putting the needs of others first.

“A Time to Reflect”

Earlene was a homemaker until her children were both old enough to be enrolled in school. She then took employment at ARA food services and bought her first car. She then began offering rides to and from work to fellow employees who were having difficulty with transportation. She later began providing private duty healthcare for patients at Kirby Pines, retiring in 2003.

“A Time to Mourn”

She departed this life on Friday, April 28, 2023, peacefully at her home, surrounded by loving family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Cicroe, with whom she shared 65 years of marriage, and her brother, Freddie Westbrook.

Earlene leaves to cherish her memories; daughter Dianne Ray Ewell (Eddie); son Carl D. Ray (Lilly Gale); granddaughter, Carla Ray; grandsons; Eddie Trent Ewell (Denise), Eric Ewell, and Desman Ray; nine great-grandchildren, Demetria Anderson (Jason), Briana Ewell, Maiya Phillips, Genesis Ewell, Eddie Ewell, III, Erin Ewell, Emmanuel Ewell, Ezekeil Ewell, and Elaisha Ewell; three great-great-grandchildren, Milo Ewell, Anaia Ewell and Jacen Anderson, six sisters-in-law, Louise Thomas, Jeannette Latham, Lillie Hughes, Ophelia White, Curtistine Ray, and Diana Ray, two brothers-in-law, Frank E. Ray, Sr. and Stanley Ray (Debra) a special and caring nephew, Lorenzo Ray, and a host of other relatives and friends.

The Celebration of Life

Saturday, May 6, 2023

12:00 Noon

New Salem Missionary Baptist Church

2237 South Parkway East Memphis, Tennessee 38116

Dr. Frank E. Ray, Sr., Senior Pastor & Officiating

Prelude

Processional..............................................................................................Clergy & Family

Musical Selection

Scripture Readings: The Old & New Testament............................................................Daphne Waddell

Prayer of Comfort...............................................................................Reverend Joe Baldon

Musical Selection

Third Day Morning Fellowship Church

(Respectfully, Two Minutes Please)

Family & Friends

Acknowledgements

Eulogy................................................................................................Dr. Frank E. Ray, Sr.

Recessional

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul;

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

I will fear no evil;

for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;

Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Psalms 23

“Expressions of Love”

herished CMemories

Farewell Dear Mother

Somewhere in my heart beneath all my grief and pain, Is a smile I still wear at the sound of your dear name. The precious word is “MOTHER”, she was my world you see, But now, my heart is breaking cause she’s no longer here with me. God chose her for His angel to watch me from above, To guide me and advise me and know that I’m still loved. The day she had to leave me when her life on earth was through, God had better plans for her, for this, I surely knew.

When I think of her kind heart and all those loving years, My memories surround me and I can’t hold back the tears. She truly was my best friend, someone I could confine in, She always had a tender touch and a warm and gentle grin. I want to thank you Mother for teaching me so well, And though the time has come that I must bid you this farewell. I’ll remember all you’ve taught me and make you proud you’ll see. Thank you my Dear Mother for all the love you showed me. Although you’ve left this earth and now you’ve taken flight, I know that you are here with me each morning, noon and night.

Love, Carl and Dianne

LTributes oving

She Shall Be Praised

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all”. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Proverbs 31:10 and 25-31

Gratitude of words by far could not compensate for the thoughtfulness and kindness when we needed it most. To you, our family and friends, we gratefully express our gratitude for your many caring and kind gestures. When our load was hard to bear, we looked around and you were there with words spoken with smiling faces and open hearts.

We would like to give a special thanks to Baptist Trinty Hospice and to our Mother’s ever watchful and thoughtful neighbors, especially, Ms. Griffin, Mrs. Hurt, Mr. & Mrs. Coleman, Mrs. Tibbs. We can’t express how grateful and appreciative we are for your acts of kindness to our family. ~