Jewel (Smith) Ray

In Remembrance of Jewel Ray

God saw you were getting tired, and a cure was not to be,

He put you in His arm and whispered, “Come with me.”

With tearful eyes we watched you suffer and saw you pass away,

Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating, hardworking hands at rest,

God broke our hearts to prove, He only takes the best.

Jewel Ray was born on March 14, 1944 to the parentage of Mose Goodacre and Josie Bell Smith. She departed this life on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at The Willows in Kilgore, TX.

She attended Overton Colored Elementary School. She was a  good student and very active in the sports softball and basketball. She was a standout in the position as a Forward on the girls’ basketball team. Her high scoring lead the team to many victories, tournaments, and district championships. She graduated with honors in 1959. Jewel continued her education at Arp Industrial High School where she was a Majorette in the high school band. She graduated in 1963. Jewel moved to Houston, Texas where she attended business school. She worked over 20 years at the Houston Chronicles and retired in 1997.

She was united in marriage to Johnny Ray. No children were born to this union.

Jewel is preceded in death by her parents, brothers: R.B. Smith, Mack Charles, Rayford Smith, Lee Earnest Gipson, Willie Goodacre, and a host of others; sisters: Ida Mae Gipson, Wilma Harlen, Ruby Lee Smith, Betty Ruth Smith, Mozelle Jackson, Velma Goodacre, Irene Butler, and a host of others; two great-grandchildren Tre’Keya Harris and Mahdessian Bagley; adopted daughter Jeanette Smith Hall.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories to her grandchildren; Aleisha (Markeith) Howard, Denetra (Fletcher) Harris, Samuel (Jade) Harris, and Sheree Smith all of Kilgore, TX. Her soulmate James Dennis of Kilgore, TX; one brother Eddie Carlisle; one sister Nadean Henderson; eight great- grandchildren Kendrick Smith, LaDerrick Harris, Deleisha McBride, TyKeria Haynes, Taraine Harris, Tremaine Harris, Shenyvia Washington, and Samuel Harris Jr.; one great-great granddaughter her name sake Leenzee Jewel Harris; special nieces and nephews Ray (Sharon) Butler, Barbara Butler, Valarie Butler, Kenneth Butler, Julia Cameron, Hazel Ford, Peggy Roy, Lonnie Goodacre Jr., O.G. Gipson; special friends Sandra Jackson, Berta Jackson, Randy Williams, Lola Brager, Anita Nelson, Shannon Trimble and a host of other loving relatives and friends. .

She was a blessing to all who knew her.

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