Mary Louise Dodson Ray Stewart

Sunday, January 15, 2006

Mary Louise Dodson Ray Stewart, 85, of Lebanon, Mo., died Saturday, Jan. 14, 2006, at her home following an illness of several months. She was born Dec. 22, 1920, in Burkburnnet, Texas, to James Henry and Josephine Alice Cassell Dodson.

Mary, at a young age, moved to Jackson County, Mo. She was very active in church, singing, playing mandolin, and piano. At an early age she was baptized and serving God. Mary devoted her life to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. She enjoyed playing piano, in which she taught her daughters to play her favorite song, "Give Me the Roses While I Live." Mary had lived in numerous western states and many parts of Missouri, the last few were Rich Hill, Mo., Richland, Mo., Amsterdam, Mo., Butler, Mo., and Metz, Mo., before moving to Lebanon to live with her daughter Patricia.

She is survived by five sons, James D. Ray and wife, Geri of Richland, Mo., Robert D. Ray and wife, Jan of Warwick, R. I., George M. Ray of Tonasket, Wash., Donald L. Ray and wife, Sandy of Oroville, Wash., Roger L. Ray-Stewart and wife, Lisa of Hume, Mo.; four daughters Alice E. Clay of Lebanon, Mo., Bonnie J. Black and husband, Kenneth of Hermitage, Mo., Wanda L. Danner of Eldon, Mo., and Patricia K. Mullins of Lebanon, Mo.; 43 grandchildren; 68 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister Pauline Campbell, three brothers, Roy Dodson, Warren Dodson and William Dodson and three grandsons Kenneth Dean Black, Darrell Wayne Danner, and Robert Joseph Clay.

A celebration of her life will be Jan. 17, at 2 p.m., at Hedges Funeral Home, Camdenton, Mo. Officiating will be pastor Danny Graham of Eldon, Mo., with burial to be at Myetta Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m., Monday, Jan. 16, at Hedges Funeral Home, Camdenton.