Ernestine Ray

Ernestine Anders Ray, age 78, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away on Wednesday, July 24, 2019. She was born on October 14, 1940 in Gray Rock, Texas to Woodrow and Virginia Woods Anders. She graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School, went on to East Texas State University and received her Master’s degree from Texas A&M University, Commerce. Her teaching career began at Crandall High School, she taught at Mesquite High School, Eastfield College in Dallas and retired from Mesquite High School. After retiring, she taught in Emory and returned home to Mt. Pleasant in 1997 with her husband Claude, she was a substitute teacher for Mt. Pleasant ISD. Over the years, she did private tutoring for many students and was finally able to completely retire after teaching one full year at Corprew Elementary and one full year at Mt. Pleasant High School. Ernestine’s career spanned almost 40 years. She loved teaching and was loved by her students.

Ernestine is survived by her daughter, Marie and husband Dwayne Smith of Emory, step-children; Mick and Maura Ray of Dallas TX, Steve and Colleen Ray of Michigan, Russell and Mechelle Ray of Mt. Pleasant, son in-law George Hafertepe of Dallas, 14 grandchildren and 4 great-Grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters; Linda and husband Bill Pepper of Mt. Vernon, Chris Beaver of Sulphur Springs, brothers; Robert, Carroll, and Oral Anders of Sulphur Springs; nephews, Josh Pepper of Douglass TX, Jehred and Seth Pepper of Mt. Pleasant, and uncle Dewey Howell of Mt. Pleasant, aunt, Louise Woods of Kansas and numerous cousins.

Ernestine was preceded in death by her husband, Claude Ray, her parents, Virginia and Bob Sims and Woodrow Anders; step-daughter, Kellee Hafertepe, and nephews, Paul and Danny Pepper and Kenny Beaver.

A Memorial service will be held Sunday, July 28th in the home of Linda and Bill Pepper.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Curry-Welborn Funeral Home

Online register can be signed at currywelborn.com