Stella MichelleRay

Dr. Stella Michelle “Doc” Ray, 35 of Greenville passed away Wednesday, July 20, 2011 in Greenville. Services will be Monday, July 25, 2011 at 2 P.M. at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home with Rev. Joel Arnold and CMHS Principal Brian McKamy. Burial will be in Brigham Cemetery, Campbell, TX.

“Doc” was born September 5, 1975 in Houston, Texas to William Ray and Donna Belew-Ray. She graduated from Greenville High School in 1993, where she was GHS Homecoming Queen, cheerleader and a Flaming Flash drill team member. She was an English teacher at the Caddo Mills High School where she also worked with the UIL program, Home Bound Students, Sr. Sponsor Beta Club and past drill team sponsor.  She was aspiring to be a college professor and recently obtained her PhD Degree in Literature. She was a member of Campbell United Methodist Church.

Dr. Stella Ray was an important part of the TAMU-C Literature and Languages family for the past 15 years. She earned all of her degrees here, and many of us got to know her well, as teachers, supervisors, colleagues, and mentors. Our sense of loss is profound.

We loved Stella for her insatiable love of literature and teaching. If there was ever a born teacher, it was Stella. She began her work for the Department of Literature and Languages as a teaching assistant, working with Basic Writing students and as a tutor in our Communication Skills Center. Because of her interest in children’s and young adult literature, she was chosen as an assistant to Dr. Richard Tuerk in his upper-level children’s literature class for a year.

She also did a wonderful job teaching both our sections of first year Composition and our Introduction to Literature course. She taught at the high school and community college level, including dual-credit courses, while pursuing her doctoral degree. No matter what and where she taught, her students loved her- and still do.

I think what we are proudest of Stella for is her decision to finish her PhD after it was interrupted by family and teaching. Dr. Robin Reid worked with her and helped her realize her dream with the completion of her dissertation “Constructions of Gender and Sexualities in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings.” Dr. Ray presented papers from her research at national and international conferences and received recognition for the smart work she had done. She had a bright career ahead of her.

She was to have begun her first full-time, college-level teaching job at Wiley College in the fall. The administration there was so impressed with her interview that one of the deans complimented the department on graduating such a fine professional. Dr. Ernest Plata of Wiley College stated “Our shock and sadness are inexpressible at the news today about Dr. Stella Ray! Our joyful expectations literally turned to tears as I am sure yours have also.” I think Dr. Plata says it well: all of our “joyful expectations have turned to tears.”  Stella was a gem. We are lucky to have worked with her and gotten to know her. I am saddened and angered that her teaching and academic successes have been cut short, and that those who love her are denied the gift and grace of her presence. Stella touched many lives and will be deeply missed.

“Doc” is survived by her children, Wesley Williams, Willow and Colten Brown of Greenville, mother, Donna Ray of Greenville, father, William Ray and wife, Mary of Fairview, brother, Phillip Ray and wife Janis of College Station, sister, Cindy Ray Kemp and husband Steven of Denton, nieces, Crystal Ray Trammell of College Station, Stephanie Ray Oyler of College Station and Josey and Jacey Kemp of Denton, grandfather, Ben Belew of New York and numerous aunts and uncles.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents and namesake, Stella Mae Wooten Ray and L.B. Ray and Mary Sue Ray.

A benefit fund has been set up for Wesley Williams and Willow and Colten Brown at Alliance Bank.

Pallbearers will be Phillip Ray, Steven Kemp, Tracy Williams, Casey Williams, Randall Burton, Jason McLain, Joe Himes, Mike Cotten and Kevin Lawless.

Visitation will be Sunday, July 24, 2011 from 5 P.M. to 8 P.M. at the funeral home.