Mrs. Ann Ray, age 87, of Troy, Alabama, died Sunday, September 11, 2011. Funeral arrangements for Mrs. Ray will be Tuesday, September 13, 2011, at 2 p.m. from the chapel of Green Hills Funeral Home with Rev. Wayne Locklar officiating. Burial will follow in Green Hills Memorial Cemetery. Visitation and fellowship will follow the graveside services at Green Hills Funeral Home.

Mrs. Ray was born March 31, 1924, to Sammy and Effie Botts. She attended the Pike County Schools and went on to Troy State College where she studied elementary education and graduated in 1960. She later received her master’s degree. Mrs. Ray taught at the Troy State Laboratory School, and then at the Troy City Schools for a 30 year career. Mrs. Ray is also noted as a founding member of Bush Memorial Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school for 40 years. She will be remembered as an avid gardener and wonderful cook, as she was widely known for her organic gardening and tea cookies. Mrs. Ray had a love for small dogs, children and flowers.

She was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 64 years, James E. Ray; parents, Sammy and Effie Botts; sister, Sybil Botts Green; brother, Douglas Botts; and great-granddaughter, Evelyn Ann Miller.

She is survived by her son, James Ray, Jr. (Shelia) of Panama City, Florida; and daughter, Judy Ray Colley (Jere) of Opelika, Alabama; six grandchildren, Jason Scott Ray, Shannon Ray Yancey, Amber Michelle Bockman, Jere Colley, Jr., Casey Colley Stewart and Tipi Colley Miller; and six great grandchildren.

Serving as pallbearers: Jere Colley, Jr., Jason Ray, Wes Miller, Heath Stewart, Marty Green and Ken Botts. Mrs. Ray’s family wishes to express special thanks to Ruby DeBose for her many years of wonderful care.

Friends and family can sign the guest book on our website www.greenhillsfuneralhome.net. Green Hills Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Ann Ray.