Barbara (Jones) Ray

BARBARA J. RAY

(in her own words)

I was born to Marion Lott Jones and Ethel Mae (Bryant) Jones on November 5, 1946.  I claimed my glorious soul saving Catholic faith with my Baptism on April 18, 1987 at St. Stephen’s Martyr Church of Georgetown in Washington, DC.

I am survived by my beloved and devoted brother Ronald Jones (Frauke May-Jones) my beloved son Keith E. Bryant, my beloved daughter and devoted caregiver Anika Ray Smith (Kenan D. Smith), my beloved and amazing grandson Corey K. Smith; my father’s late sister Annabelle Beasley’s child Lorraine (deceased), her children Curry (deceased), Beverly, Michelle, and Lynn; my father’s late sister Dorothy Lee’s children George Albert, Marion, Nick, Raymond, Betty, Dorothy Mae and dearest Joyce; my mother’s sister Dr. Jean Crawford and her four boys Vernon, Jarrett (deceased), John Billy and Victor; my mother’s late brother Melvin Bryant’s children Carol, Stephanie, Karen, and Tracy; my beloved almost daughter Naima Bacquilod, as well as a few good friends with whom I enjoyed many well-shared moments.

I spent the bulk of my childhood in the rural rolling countryside of Monkton, Maryland.  It was the backdrop for my many fun-filled adventures.  As such, at my passing, I lovingly claim it as home.

Thank you all for your loving friendships, our well-shared moments and the wonderful memories.  I had a grand time.

Don’t forget to keep the child in you alive and present so as to enjoy every moment of life to its fullest.

If ever you need a reminder of the child in me that I kept present in my adulthood, check out Brian Basset’s Sunday “Red Rover” comic strip, especially the May 22, 2005 comic strip wherein Basset recapitulated the poem “High Flight” by Pilot Officer John Gillespie Magee, Jr. of the No. 412 Squadron, RCAF September 1941.

By the way, my dog’s name was Rex.  He was a brave little black beagle with a large white diamond on his broad chest.

I wish you all a full and joyful life with many more well-shared moments.

Barbara J. Ray

Saint James’ Corner

Monkton, MD  21111

High Flight

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth and danced the skies of laughter-

silvered wings;

Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds – and

done a hundred things You have not dreamed of – wheeled and soared and swung

High in the sunlit silence.  Hov’ring there, I’ve chased the shouting wind along,

and flung my eager craft through footless halls of air…

Up, up the long delirious, burning blue, I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with

easy grace where never lark nor ever eagle flew –

And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod the high untrespassed sanctity of

space…

Put out my hand,

…and touched the face of God.

by  Pilot Officer John Gillespie Magee, Jr

of the No.412 Squadron, RCAF, September 1941.

All services are private

Please reach out to the family for further information.