Beatrice Huffman Ray

Beatrice Huffman Ray, age 97, of 335 West Fourth Street, Dover, was born March 10, 1910, in Milton, Florida. She was called home by the “Good Lord” on Wednesday, May 23, 2007, from the Country Club Center at Dover.

She was the daughter of the late Samuel and Ida (Levins) Huffman, and the granddaughter of Moses Huffman, a former slave and Buffalo Soldier. One of fourteen children, Beatrice was preceded in death by brothers, Ernie, Daniel, Jacob, Quincy, Enoch, Solomon, Isaac and Samuel Jr., and sisters, Estelle, Mary, Rosie, Lavada and Rachel. She moved to Dover at the age of fifteen with her family. She attended church on a regular basis, and, several years later, joined the First Baptist Church of Dover. While attending First Baptist, she fell in love with a young man named Buford Ray, and, after a courtship of several years, they were married on June 26, 1929. Buford preceded her in death on February 20, 2007. Beatrice and Buford had eleven children. Sons, Charles, Phillip, Napoleon and Clabe, and daughter, Evelyn preceded Beatrice in death. Surviving are daughters, Darlene (husband, Orliage) Byrom, Catherine (husband, Eugene Kelker), Diana Lynn Jones, and sons, Buford Jr. (wife, Eileen), Richard Rex (wife, Vernell) and Alfonso Ray. Beatrice was also preceded in death by one grandson. She is survived by twenty-six grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren and twelve great-great-grandchildren.

Beatrice was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Dover, where she sang in the choir and served for many years as a deaconess. She loved God and her family, and was committed to helping those in the community who could not help themselves. She was a caregiver long before there was such a title given to a person that cared for others. She often cared for others during the night, and returned home in the morning to get her children off to school. Her yard was a safe haven for children being harassed by bullies, and she provided food for hoboes who often rode railroad cars from town to town.

Beatrice left school after the eighth grade, and started working. During World War II, she worked at Republic Steel in Massillon for two years, and later she would manage the household of Dr. Judson Reamy for some fourteen years. Although she worked outside the home from time to time, she ran a tight ship at home with strict rules and assigned chores for the children. Taking care of her family was always top priority. Years later, Beatrice returned to school and earned her G.E.D. credential.

A Home-Going service will be held Tuesday, May 29, at 1 p.m., in the First Baptist Church with Rev. Christopher Lowery officiating. Burial will be in Dover Burial Park. Following the committal, there will be a meal in the First Baptist Church. Family and friends are invited to call at the church on Monday, May 28, 6 �" 8 p.m. Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory at Dover. To sign an online register and share a fond memory of Beatrice, please visit the funeral home�(TM)s Web site and click on “obituaries.”

The family suggests that contributions in Beatrice�(TM)s memory be made to the First Baptist Church, 140 Regent Street, Dover, Ohio 44622.

Toland-Herzig, Dover
330-343-6132
www.tolandherzig.com