Shirley A. (Gardner) Ray

Shirley A. Ray, 84, of Monmouth, IL, passed away peacefully at 4:01 p.m., Thursday, May 27, 2021 at Monmouth Nursing Home, Monmouth, IL.

She was born on March 1, 1937 in Monmouth, IL, the daughter of Rolland and Vera (Russell) Gardner.  Shirley was raised and educated in Monmouth and graduated from Monmouth High School in 1956.

Shirley married Jim Ray on February 24, 1957 at the First United Methodist Church in Monmouth, IL; he survives.

Shirley was a homemaker, taking care of her family was her biggest joy.  She worked at Monmouth College for a time as a switchboard operator and for Bill Wells with National Can Corporation.  Shirley was also a secretary for the Illinois Federation of Republican Woman.  She loved sewing and knitting Afghans, sweaters, and prayer shawls for family and her church.  Shirley was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church in Monmouth where she was very active.  She was also a member of PEO LE Chapter.

Surviving Shirley is her husband, Jim Ray of Monmouth, IL; two sons, Doug (Sue) Ray of Monmouth, IL, Mitchell (Dottie) Ray of Monmouth, IL; her grandchildren, Michael (Megan) Ray of Chicago, IL, James Ray of Chicago, IL, Greg (Cindy Chiang) Ray of Long Beach, CA, Gina (Jeremy) Raymond of Monmouth, IL, Andrew (Katherine) Ray of Monmouth, IL; her great grandchildren, Carson Ray, Solomon Raymond, Jude Raymond.  Also surviving are two sisters-in-law, Lois Gardner of Ann Arbor, MI, and Barb Gardner of Laguna Woods, CA; several nieces and nephews.  Shirley loved them all very much.  She was a devoted, strong woman who passed those qualities to her children and grandchildren.  Shirley devoted long hours and energy to her children’s pursuits as a Cub Scout leader and Den Mother.  She also attended all of her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting and music activities.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Robert Gardner and Leland Gardner.

Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 1, 2021, at McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth, IL.  Interment will be in Warren County Memorial Park, Monmouth, IL.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.   Memorials can be made to the First United Methodist Church in Monmouth.