Octa Ray

Octa Ray

Octa Ray, 91, of Cincinnati, IA, passed away at the Centerville Nursing and Rehab Center in Centerville, IA, on Monday, December 28, 2009. She had been a resident there for a short time.
Octa Blanch (Cowan) Ray was born in Putnam County, MO, near Mendota, on January 21, 1918, the daughter of Ora and Nora Alice (Johnson) Cowan, who preceded her in death. On April 10, 1937 she married Floyd “Cecil” Ray in Unionville, MO, and he preceded her in death on May 20, 1971.
Octa and Cecil lived and farmed their entire married life in eastern Putnam County where Octa joined in her husband in working and running the farm. She helped work the fields and did the farm chores when Cecil worked in the mines. She raised a garden, sewed clothing and did embroidery work. She also loved to cook and bake for her family. Octa also enjoyed an active social life, especially playing her guitar and singing at social gatherings in the neighborhood, like church gatherings and old fashioned candy suppers. Sometimes she would sing with groups and sometimes by herself. She could also play the harmonica and danced the Charleston.
Octa was a very kind and giving person who spent her life caring for her family. Octa moved to Cincinnati, IA, after the passing of Cecil. She was a member of the Eastern Star of Hartford, MO and member of the Stringtown Christian Church. She is also a current member of PEO and the Cincinnati Christian Church. She loved her family and was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend.
Mrs. Ray is survived by a son, Robert Ray and his wife Janice of Unionville, MO, and a daughter, Patsy Regenwether and her husband Pat, of Cincinnati, IA. Seven grandchildren, one step-grandchild, nine great-grandchildren, four step-great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild also survive, as well as a brother, Lloyd Cowan and his wife Beverly of Cincinnati, IA, also several nieces and nephews. Octa will be deeply missed by all.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Ray was also preceded in death by a son, Floyd Eugene Ray, who passed away July 20, 1938; three brothers, Tim, Lee, and Pearl Cowan, and one sister, Mona Cassady.
Funeral services for Octa Ray will be held at Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, on Friday, January 1, 2010 at 1:00 pm with visitation on Thursday, December 31 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Pastor Howard Luscan will conduct the service with recorded musical numbers, “Amazing Grace” and “In the Garden.” Casket bearers will be Octa’s grandsons, Robert Ray, Jr., Roger Ray, Larry Wilson, and Ryan Ray. Interment will be in the Lone Pine Cemetery.
Memorials for Mrs. Ray are suggested to the Lone Pine Cemetery and may be entrusted with Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO, 63565.