Avis E. Nelson Ray

Birth

20 Apr 1931

Culbertson, Hitchcock County, Nebraska, USA

Death

24 Jan 2012 (aged 80)

Scottsbluff, Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, USA

Burial

Fort McPherson National Cemetery

Maxwell, Lincoln County, Nebraska, USA

Plot

Section O, Site 265

 

Avis E. Ray of McCook passed away at the Scottsbluff Regional Medical Center on Tuesday, January 24, 2012. She was 80 years old. Avis was born on April 20, 1931 at the family farm near Culbertson to Guy Leon and Rosa Elnora (Schlegel) Nelson.

Avis graduated from McCook High School in 1948 and McCook Junior College in 1950. She continued her education at the Denver University receiving a degree as a Registered Nurse.

On June 6, 1957, she was united in marriage to Robert Tunnis Ray, Sr. in Zurick, Switzerland. They lived overseas until Robert retired from the military in 1969. They made their home in McCook where Avis worked as a nurse for St. Catherine's Hospital and McCook Clinic as well as a busy mother of son, Robert Tunnis, Jr.

Avis was a member of Memorial United Methodist Church, Naomi Circle and United Methodist Women. She was also a member of PEO Chapter GY, McCook Art Guild and an integral part of the McCook Community Concert Association. She volunteered countless hours for the bloodmobile. In her free time she loved to paint, sew and do all kinds of crafts.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Guy and Rosa Nelson; husband, Robert Ray, Sr. on April 14, 2005; and brother, Arlyn "Buddy" Nelson.

Survivors are: son, Robert Ray, Jr. and wife, Dacrus, of Aurora, CO; grandchildren Daniela (Erik), Adam (Erica) and Jessica and great-granddaughter, Harley Grace; four sisters, Dorothy McLaren and Karen and husband, James Ruff, all of McCook, Fern and husband, Ken McGuire, of Las Cruces, NM, and Nadine and husband, Gerald Owens, of Littleton, CO; numerous nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

Burial was in the Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Maxwell, Nebraska.