Joyce Ray

Joyce Ray, 79, of Greenfield died Jan. 18, 2015, at her daughters’ home in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Funeral services were 10 a.m. today, Jan. 23, at the First Presbyterian Church in Greenfield. The Rev. David Kincaide officiated. Burial was in Greenfield Cemetery. Steen Funeral Home, 101 S.E. Fourth St., Greenfield, was in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be given to the Joyce Ray memorial fund to be established by the family. Online condolences may be left at www.steenfunerals.com.

Joyce Joan Johnson Ray, daughter of Verna (Evans) and Victor Johnson, was born June 4, 1935, on a farm south of Bridgewater.

Joyce grew up between Bridgewater and Greenfield, attending school in both communities and graduating from high school in Greenfield in 1953.

Joyce worked for Piper’s Variety Saturdays and summers while in high school in Greenfield, and later at J.C. Penney’s in Monterey, Calif., while Wayne was in the service.

On April 5, 1953, Joyce married Wayne Lee Ray at the Presbyterian Church in Greenfield.

After Wayne’s time in the service, they made their home in Greenfield.

Joyce worked alongside her husband for 50 years, owning and operating Wayne’s Radio Service, later to be called Wayne’s TV-Appliance-Giftware.

Joyce was a member of the Presbyterian Church and served as a Sunday school teacher and team teaching young children with her husband for many years. She was an active member of the church choir for years. She also served on the session.

Joyce is survived by her children, Wendell (Diane) Ray of Greenfield, Linda (Al) Polito of Monticello and Ann Ray of Cincinnati, Ohio; grandchildren, Jonas (Jill) Ray, Jordan Ray, Joel Ray, Josiah (Rachel) Polito and Blythe Polito; foster family, Tricia McClure, Erika Janson, Kane McClure and Alaynah Palmer; sister Judy Lourens; nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband; parents; mother- and father-in-law, Hazel and Lyle Ray; and sister-in-law Virginia Ray Piper Cannon.