Vickie Jeanette Essary Ray was born March 8, 1947 in Jackson, TN, the only child of the late Walter Snider Essary and Alta Aberdeen Tacker Essary. She departed this life on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at her home in Bethel Springs after a short illness. She attended school in Enville and Adamsville TN and was a graduate of Adamsville High School Class of 1965. She married Ward Ray on September 3, 1965. She worked for South Central Bell Telephone Company until the birth of her second child. After that time, she became a full-time homemaker to co-manage the family farm alongside her husband. She was a member of Mount Gilead Baptist Church in Bethel Springs TN. She was fond of listening to Dr. Charles Stanley and Dr. David Jeremiah after she was unable to attend church. She is also remembered for her incredible spirit to never give up, having undergone three total hip replacements & nearly one solid year of rehabilitation in McNairy County Healthcare Center in 2013 and COVID 19 in 2022. She had an incredible passion for cooking and enjoyed using her abilities to bless others. She cooked countless meals and desserts for her family, church, and community. Specifically, she will be remembered for her homemade fried pies and homemade coconut cakes. She baked hundreds for benefits and fundraisers without any request for payment. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Ward Ray. She is survived by three children: Monty Lee Ray of Scotts Hill, TN, Jimmy Ray and wife Kim of Bethel Springs TN, Amy Ray Kelley and husband Jeff of Stantonville; three grandchildren: Christopher Todd Ray, Lydia Abigail Kelley, and Luke David Kelley; one great grandson, Matthew Allen Ray; Brother-in-law, Clinnon Ray of Jackson, TN; sisters-in-law, Lou Zena Wilson and husband Douglas of Selmer TN, and Doris Ann Wilson and husband Paul of Bethel Springs TN; cousins considered as brothers and sisters: Phyllis Tull, Shirley Martin Struble, Judy Martin Hendrix, Peggy Mathis, Debbie Coats, Barbara Roark, Tommy Wyatt, David Weatherford, and Mike Tacker; deceased cousins: Kenneth Tacker, Robbie Nance, James and Tim Weatherford; as well as several nieces, nephews, and many many friends.
Pallbearers: Jody Cox, Keith Price, Benji Isbell, Wesley Moore, William Brasher, Carson Moore, and Bryce Moore.
