Isabelle C. (Bowens) Ray

YORK - Isabelle C. (Bowens) Ray, died Sunday, August 17, 2008 at Colonial Manor Nursing Home. She was the wife of the late George Ray, Jr. A Celebration of Life Service will be at 11:00 AM Friday, August 22, 2008 at Shiloh Baptist Church, 629 South Pershing Ave., York. Viewings will be 7-8:00 PM Thursday at Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Road, York, and 10-11:00 AM Friday at the Church. Burial will be in Susquehanna Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Ray was born March 16, 1925, in York. She was a daughter of the late Walter and Florence (Giles) Bones. After completing school in Washington D.C., she returned to York for a short time before moving to Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1945 where she lived for 39 years. While in N.Y. she worked for Western Electric and then continued her career at East New York Legal Services in Brooklyn until her retirement in 1979 due to illness. Mrs. Ray rejoined her family in York in 1982 and became an active member of Shiloh Baptist Church. She was a member of AARP nationally and local chapter #3060; the Democratic Club; and served as President of the Block Association and PTA in Brooklyn, N.Y. Mrs. Ray enjoyed traveling and loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. Mrs. Ray is survived by a son; Vincent A. (Chink) and wife Mary L. Bowens of York; a daughter, Deborah M. and husband David J. Barton of York; a stepdaughter, Diane Neely of Philadelphia; twelve grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; 4 great great grandchildren; a sister Viola Everette; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a grandson Tru S. Ray-Barton who passed away in 2006, and a sister Clara Chambers who passed away in 1999. Memorial contributions may be made to Shiloh Baptist Chruch 629 S. Pershing Ave., York, PA 17403, or to VNA/ Hospice Services, 218 E. Market St., York, PA 17403.