Ellen Ray

Ellen E. Ray, 89, of Frederick, MD, went home to be with her heavenly father on March 6, 2023. Born on September 14, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Walter S. Bowie and Cora Lee Diggs Bowie; and was the beloved wife of the late William Ray.

Ellen graduated from Lincoln High School. She worked at Leidos Biomedica (Fort Detrick) in glassware where she retired. She was a devoted and faithful lifelong member of St. James AME Church, serving on the Gospel Choir, Custodial ministry, Stewardess and President of the Edna B. Dykes Missionary Society.

Ellen, affectionately known as Grandma, Gran-Gran, and Bocca, loved spending time with her family and church family. She loved watching soaps, westerns, and MSNBC; and playing Bingo (she never played for fun!). She had a huge sense of humor, loving spirit, and a feisty attitude. Being the baby girl of siblings, she was known as the cool Auntie to her nieces and nephews.

She leaves to cherish her memory her: children, Katrina "Trina" Bimage (Jimmy), of Dickinson, TX, and Shelia Ray, Tobias Ray (Jessie), Johnathan Ray (Darlene), daughter in law, Gloriajean Ray, all of Frederick; 14 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; siblings, Celestine Dixon, Gilbert Bowie (Betty), and William Bowie (Veronica); and a host of special nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

In addition to her parents, Ellen was preceded in death by her: husband, William Ray; sons, Gregory Hayes Ray and William Ray, Jr.; brothers, Spencer Bowie, Charles "Buck" Bowie, Sr., Walter Bowie, Gerald Bowie, and Paul Bowie; sisters, Louise Weedon, Catherine Haynesworth, and Edna Diggs; and grandson, Quarnell "Corey" Davis.