Shirley Ann Ray

Shirley Ann (Jones) Ray, 87, of Denver, CO, and formerly of Elmo, MO, passed away on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at her home in Denver, surrounded by her family.

Shirley was born on May 2, 1935, on the family farm near Burlington Junction, MO, to parents, Ray C. and Martha H (Adkins) Jones.  She was the 3 ^rd child born, and joined brother Dwain L., sister, Joyce E. (Jones) Alexander, and later Larry R. Jones.  Her parents and siblings have all predeceased her.

After graduating from Elmo High School in 1953, she worked a year at the Grace Feed Store in Burlington Junction, before moving to Maryville.  She worked at the Agriculture Conservation Office for the State, mapping crops in the area.

In 1955, she married Roland D. Ray, of Elmo, MO.  And after his graduation from Northwest Missouri State in 1956, they moved to Denver, CO, where Roland started teaching.  Shirley was a homemaker and mother of 2 sons, Kirk and Kevin.

In 1972, Shirley went to work for the Denver Public School System as a secretary, then worked in the Teacher Resource Center.  She then spent 18 years in the records and attendance department at Hamilton School, retiring in 1992.

Shirley has been cremated under the care of the Bram Funeral Home, Maryville, MO.  Graveside memorial services will be at a later date in the Nodaway Memorial Gardens, Maryville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Elmo Community Betterment Club, Elmo, MO.