“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1)
Joan Rae Ray died in her home, her loved ones by her side, on October the 10th, 2020. She was a wonderful, deeply caring and beautiful person to the very core. Her desire was never to take the spotlight but to shine it back to the One from whom she drew her refuge and strength. She was a most loving mother, a devoted wife, a joyful grandmother, a trustworthy sister and a peaceful beacon of faith to anyone who knew her well.
Joan was born at Mercy Hospital in Burlington, IA, one month premature, on August the 31st, 1935, to loving parents Russell and Frances Sanderson. Her presence shone even as a young girl as her father, Russell, nicknamed her “Dutchy.” Though the name denotes regality, her humility defined her. She cared deeply for her younger sister, Mary Ann, who knows how much indeed she could be relied upon. Mary Ann remembers:
Once the teacher told me, “Well, if you feel ill just pull out your desk drawer and go ahead and get sick.” Then they called Joan down to clean it up. Oh, she’ll never forget that. She said, “that was terrible!”
This was an early, and humorous, example of the many times her family came to her knowing that she would make everything better.
She attended MacMurray College in Jacksonville, IL, Monmouth College and graduated from Southeastern Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Nursing in 1978. She then earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Western Illinois University.
Above all, Joan wanted her children to know Jesus. She said that she did not wish them wealth, power or even happiness but that they would know the Lord. She encouraged her children to know eternal life, as she believed, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” (Phillippians 4:13)
Love was paramount to her and she truly embodied the essence of Jesus’s message. She made the gospel real and pertinent to her children and grandchildren. She guided them toward a deep understanding of the Lord, the sort that could bring tears to your eyes.
She raised responsible people who know the importance of parental love and was almost magical in her ability to let her children know that, no matter what was happening, they were loved. Her smile, her giddiness at your call, her gentle pat on your arm bathed you in knowing that all is and will be well. Her optimism was irresistible.
She knew that he who sings prays twice and was a beautiful pianist and organist. She studied with the internationally respected organist Robert Glascow and remarked that she never understood why he spent so much time with her. However, those who’ve heard her know that she didn’t just play notes, she understood how to interpret them as music.
Her true relationship with God helped her to weather many a storm, to become a teacher of confidence and an unwavering source of peace for those who sought her counsel. Her faith was based in a dynamic relationship with God and she credited her Sunday School teacher, Mrs. Wilhelm, who brought the gospel to life. She passed that living gospel on to her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents Frances and Russell Sanderson, her first husband Loren Allaman, and her granddaughter Amanda Craig.
Joan is survived by her husband Gene Ray, her sister Mary Ann Knoke, her children Lynne (Ken) Hasse, John (Margaret) Allaman and Carol Spears, her step-children Mark (Kathy) Ray and Scott (Lisa) Ray, her grandchildren Eric (Stephanie) Craig, Heather Allaman, Luke Allaman, Alex (Kelly) Spears, Janie Spears, her step-grandchildren Amanda (Kurt) Rooney, Katie Ray, Neil Ray, Austin Ray, and her great-grandchildren Nick, Jaegar, Carly and Shawn Craig, Noah, Dante, Fiona and Elijah Spears, Talon Conrad, Hyacinth Goodwin, Allie and Lainey Guyton, and great-great grandchild Leo Craig. She was the ultimate grandmother.
The graveside service will be held this Friday, October the 16th at 2pm at Biggsville Cemetery and is open to the pubic.
A Day of Calling will be held at Banks and Beals Funeral Home on Thursday, October the 15th from 1pm-5pm for anyone wishing to offer their condolences through the written word. The family will not be present.
