Mary Lou (Taylor, Adams) Ray

Mary Lou (Taylor, Adams) Ray, 76, of Jonesboro, died on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House. She was born in Jonesboro on August 24, 1948. Her parents were Junior and Dorotha Noles and her maternal grandparents were Bill and Mary Taylor.  She was of the Baptist belief. Mary Lou graduated in 1966 from Nettleton High School.  She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.  She was very devoted to spending time with her family.  Lou had a special gift, she loved singing, especially in church.  With her first husband, Gary, and son, Don, and Gary’s brothers, they had a country and western band. She loved to perform and had a beautiful voice.  Her favorite place to sing, was in church.  Another favorite pastime was dancing, if music was playing, she was always ready to dance. She retired from Arkansas State University after 22 years in the Print Shop.  She also worked at Frolic Footwear and Doctor’s Pathology. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Bill and Mary Taylor, brother, Steve Noles, and nephew, Mike Noles.

Survivors include her husband, Randall Ray; sons, Gary Don Adams and his wife,Gwyn; Tim Ray and his wife, Joselyn; Brian Ray and his wife Chasity; Jason Ray and his wife Kelsey; daughter, Candace Archer and husband Denny; sisters, Faye Glasco, Janet Hill and husband Rick, Trisha James and Tammie Eaker and husband David; grandchildren, Taylor Adams, Kimberly Adams, Charles Ray, Tyler Ray, Elizabeth Ray, Hadliegh Ray, Kaden Ray, Bailey Bolla, Will Bolla, Peyton Ray, Alyiah Archer, Jason West and his wife, Charity; great grandsons, Jackson West, Addison West, Cole Allen Bates; and several nieces and nephews and a host of dear friends.

A Celebration of Life service will be at 10:30 on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at Emerson Memorial Chapel with Wyndel King officiating and Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Burial will follow at Bishop’s Cemetery with James Ray, Tim Ray, Brian Ray, Jason Ray, Charles Ray, Tyler Ray and Vern Ray serving as pallbearers.  Honorary pallbearers are Rick Hill, David Eaker, Bill Ray, Ben Ray, Jack Ray and Tom Ray. Visitation will be from 9:30 until service time. To sign an online guestbook, go to emersonfuneralhome.com.