Blanche H. Ray, 88, of Goreville, passed away at 12:19 a.m. Friday, Jan. 23, 2004, in Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion. Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, 2004, in Goreville First Baptist Church, with the Rev. Ron Ferguson officiating.  Interment will be held in Cana Cemetery in Goreville.  Friends may call from 5 to 9 p.m. today in the church. Memorial donations may be made to Goreville First Baptist  Church or Ray Memorial Scholarship,  c/o Union Planters Bank,  100 S. Broadway, Goreville, IL 62939

Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale is in charge of arrangements.

    Blanche was born Dec. 20, 1915, in Goreville, to Sam C. and Thursa (Calhoon) Kelley.  She married Alma Logan "Pete" Ray on Aug 7, 1937, in Blytheville, Ark.  He preceded her in death on June 24, 1999.

    She was an avid reader.  She was a good friend and had the rare quality of being able to listen to others without being judgmental.

    She was a member of Goreville First Baptist Church, where she served as a Sunday school teacher for more than 40 years.  She taught grade school for more than 36 years, all of which were in Johnson County.  She taught 21 of those years in the Goreville School District.  After her retirement in 1976, Blanche became an active member of the Retired Teachers Association of Johnson County.  She was a past member of the Goreville Woman's Club and the OES.

    Survivors include two sons and daughter-in-laws, Max and Donna Ray of Boles, and Ned and Karen Ray of Goreville;  one daughter and son-in-law, Jo Ellen and Gordon Lambert of Marion;  six grandchildren, Dan Lambert of Lexington, KY,  Sam and Jeri Lauren Lambert of Louisville, KY,  Sanna and Jay Rogers of Bowling Green, KY,  Erica and Adam Long of Nashville, TN,  John and Bridgett Ray of Tunnel Hill, and Jim Lambert of Denver, CO.  five great-grandchildren, Max and Grady Rogers, Benjamin Long and Claire and Logan Lambert;  two brothers and a sister-in-law, Bill and Juanita Kelley of Goreville and Lester Kelley of Nashville, TN;  and several nieces and nephews.  She is also preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Francis Ray Kelley.