Joyce Ray
November 27, 1933 – June 16, 2024
Joyce Ann Ray, 90, passed away peacefully on June 16, 2024, at home from dementia.
Joyce was born November 27, 1933, in Muncie to Frederick and Pauline Ritchie, the third of seven children. She was a graduate of Muncie Central High School. On April 16, 1955, she married the love and joy of her life, James A. Ray, in the High Street Methodist Chapel in Muncie. They started a life that would grow to include
four sons, Jeff, Randy, Tom, and Tim, four daughters-in-law, nine grandchildren, and twenty-two great-grandchildren. Joyce’s life revolved around her family and making her house a warm and inviting home. Over her many years, she enjoyed sewing and making baby quilts for all her grandchildren, working in her flower garden, Sunday dinners with lots of family, creating fun Easter egg hunts, celebrating Christmas Eve, antiquing, and traveling to many spots across the globe. A highlight for her was spending time on the ocean in Dana Point, California.
Joyce is survived by her husband of 69 years James A. Ray. Three sons Jeff (Judy) of New Castle, Randy (Shari) of Mount Summit, Tim (Debbie) of Cicero, Daughter in law Melinda Ray of Muncie. Grandchildren Aaron (Molly) Ray, Grant (Alana) Ray, Michelle (Joe) Hundley, Annalise (Bryce) Welsh, Connor (Lydia) Ray, Kendall (Amanda) Ray, Jessica (TJ) Walker, Chad (Chelsy) Ray, and Hannah (Drew) Guge. Great-grandchildren; Bernard, Fox, Lanaiya, Elle, Lennon, Theodore, Emilia, Anderson, Charlotte, Elizabeth, Kennedy, London, Wyatt, Nolan, Scarlett, Ckinley, Cayson, Callan, Crossten, Braylen, Stella, and Hendrix. Two sisters, Norma Davis of Muncie and Terry Mier of Salt Lake City, Utah, a brother Ron (Susie) Ritchie of Sarasota, Florida, and sister-in-law Janet Hahn of Knightstown.
Joyce was preceded in death by a son, Thomas James, her parents, two sisters, and a brother.
The family would like to thank Tina Boyd and the entire Hospice care team for the loving and gentle care they took of Joyce in her final days. Her special caregivers Peggy York, Sue Fisher, and Latosha Campos showed her kindness, love, compassion, and comfort. The family thanks you ladies.
Visitation will be Wednesday, June 19, 2024 from 11 am to 1 pm at Hinsey Brown Funeral Service in New Castle. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor CJ Buskirk officiating. Graveside services will be private at Mt. Summit Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to the Ray Family scholarship at the Henry County Community Foundation,700 S. Memorial Drive, New Castle, IN 47362. You may share memories and condolences at www.hinsey-brown.com.