Mary (Goodnow) Ray (1864-1889)

GOODNOW, RAY, HALFORD

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 12/27/2015 at 15:49:33

From Nevada Representative January 9, 1889

Iowa Centre.

Again the dread visitor, Death, has come into our midst. On last Thursday evening at half past ten o'clock the spirit of Mary A. Ray left the mortal body, and went back to the river of life. Mary A. Ray was the wife of Judiah A. Ray, who is left to mourn her loss, and was the daughter of P. and M. A. Goodnow of this place. Mrs. Ray was an exemplary woman, a bright light in the Evangelist church of which she was a member,--a great worker in the temperance cause, and in all things that were for the good and advancement of mankind she gave a helping hand. The remains were carried to Woodland Cemetery last Saturday and the independent Order of Good Templars performed the last sad rites, but there is this consolation for us all:

"Beyond the purple verge of infinite space,
The immortal soul of man shall live again;
Live where its glories never more will wane,
And where its nobler memories will efface
All thought which send the solemn pall away
That shrouds the meanness of its primal clay."

The following resolutions were adopted by the Iowa Centre Lodge No. 7 I. O. G. T.:

WHEREAS--It has pleased Almighty God to remove by death from our Order our beloved sister, Mary A. Ray, and

WHEREAS--We deeply mourn her loss and bow submission to His will, while we recognize in this visitation the chastening hand of Him who is Judge of all. Therefore be it

Resolved: That in the death of Sister Ray our Lodge has lost a faithful, devoted, working member, the community a noble christian woman, and all who knew her a friend,

Resolved: That in her decease Bro. Ray has lost a loving companion and the family its dearest member, and that we extend to them our heartfelt sympathy in this their hour of affliction.

Resolved: That the Lodge room be draped in mourning for thirty days, a copy of these resolutions be spread on our journal, a copy sent to the Western Good Templar, Nevada Representative and Maxwell Tribune for publication, and also that a copy be given to Bro. J. A. Ray and the parents of the deceased.

Also the following by the Woman's Missionary Society of the Evangelist church at Iowa Center:

WHEREAS, in this mysterious providence God has called from labor to reward our sister and co-worker, Mrs. Mary Ray, therefore, be it

Resolved, That in her death the Woman's Missionary Society has lost one who was ever ready and willing to work for her Master.

Resolved, That while we mourn her loss we will endeavor to be more earnest in the missionary work.

Resolved, That we extend to the bereft husband and friends our heartfelt sympathy in this hour of sorrow and pray that our Heavenly Father may with His infinite pity comfort them.

Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the records of the society and published in the county papers and Missionary Messenger.

The W. M. S. will also meet at the Evangelical church in Iowa Centre, Jan. 18th, at 11 o'clock A. M., to hold memorial service in behalf of Mrs. Ray.

SUBMITTER'S NOTE: Mary (Goodnowa) Ray was the daughter of Palemon Goodnow and Margaret Ann Halford.