Mary Elizabeth "Beth" Ray, 87, of Wayne Township passed away in her residence Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024.

Born April 3, 1937 in Oakland, California, Beth was the daughter of the late George and Catherine Oesterling Flecken. She married James L. Ray on June 27, 1958, and they enjoyed 58 years together until his passing in 2017.

Beth graduated from the Butler County School of Nursing in 1958 and she worked as an RN at Butler Hospital and, later in her career, at Hillview Manor.

She was a very active member of Harmony Baptist Church.

She volunteered, along with her husband, at Camp Gilead in Polk City, Florida for 17 years.

Beth enjoyed traveling and camping and most of all, spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Beth is survived by her three sons and daughters-in-law, David Ray and Rhonda Fife of Mentor, Ohio, Darrell and Elaine Ray of New Castle and Richard and Kerry Ray of Chesapeake, Virginia; her daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Thomas Tillia of Ellwood City; a sister, Gaye Gargasz of Hadley, Pennsylvania; two brothers, Paul (Linda) Flecken of Asheboro, North Carolina, and Barry (Janet) Flecken of Butler, Pennsylvania; eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Beth was preceded in death by a daughter in infancy; two sons, Douglas Ray and Duane Ray; and a brother in infancy.

Friends will be received from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 at Harmony Baptist Church, 4103 Ellwood Road, New Castle, PA 16101.

The funeral service will follow the visitation at 3 p.m. with Pastor Jeff MacKay and Rev. Dr. Scott Gibson, celebrants. Interment will follow in Harmony Baptist Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Joseph A. Tomon Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory.