Elizabeth Ann Ray, of Dixon, was born on July 18, 1941, at Jefferson City, a daughter of Samuel and Inez Ruth (Helton) Douglas and departed this life at 10:27 a.m., Sunday, December 1, 2019 in the University Hospital and Clinics, Columbia. Ann had been in failing health for the past several months and had attained the age of 78 years, 4 months and 13 days.

Ann was united in marriage on September 3, 1961 at Van Cleve to Sterling Isaiah Ray and to this union, one daughter was born. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband on December 17, 2008; her parents, Samuel and Inez; her parents that raised her, Jessie J. and Mamie Helton; two sisters, Betty Ray, and Jessica Null; and four aunts, Genevieve Quick, Pearl Malone, Lucille Maddi, and Jewell Sherrell.

Ann was baptized on March 29, 1959 at the Glenstone Baptist Church, Springfield. She attended the First Church of God, Dixon and later became a member of the Seaton Faith Fellowship Church, Dixon where she served as secretary and Sunday school teacher. Ann worked at Consumer Grocery Store in Springfield and later worked in the Meat Department and Ben Franklin Department as head cashier for the IGA Foodliner of Dixon. Following the closing of the IGA, Ann worked as a secretary for the Dixon High School and then as a cook for the Dixon Senior Center, as well as being a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.

Those left to mourn the passing of Ann include: her daughter, Sue Ann (Ray) Manes; one grandson and his wife, Dustin and Misty Manes; three great-grandchildren, Callista, Terran and Alena; one sister, Nancy Howden; brothers-in-law, Robert Ray and Glen Guffey; sister-in-law, Roma Ray; nephews; nieces; and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services for Ann will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 5, 2019, in the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Chapel, Dixon with Pastor Helen Winters officiating.

Interment will be next to her beloved husband in the Seaton Cemetery, Dixon under the direction of the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Dixon. Pallbearers for Ann are Bobby Ray, Jon Ray, Logan Ray, Shawn Brown, Matthew Brown, and Clarence Purcell. Honorary Pallbearers will be Paul Guffey, John Guffey, and Melvin Guffey.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Seaton Faith Fellowship Church or the perpetual care fund for the Seaton Cemetery with envelopes available at the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Dixon.