Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, November 5, l903

Friends in this city were shocked last Wednesday evening when a message was received announcing the death of MISS MARY RAY, one of the most popular young ladies who ever resided in Leon, at the home of her sister, MRS. JOE PRICHARD, in Trenton, Mo., although it had been known she had been very sick for the past two months. About the first of September she went to Kansas City as usual to trim a few weeks in a wholesale millinery store, but was taken sick with typhoid fever soon after she arrived in that city. She was quite low for several weeks, but recovered sufficiently to be taken to the home of her sister at Princeton. Here careful nursing had enabled her to almost recover from the fever when other complications set in which resulted in her death.

MARY CATHARINE RAY was the youngest daughter of Capt. and MRS. J.A. RAY. She was born in Chariton, Iowa, Feb. 4, l867, and at an early age removed with her parents to Leon, where virtually all her life has been spent. She was loved and respected by everyone. Both parents died a few years ago and one sister, MRS. JOE PRICHARD, of Princeton, Mo., and two brothers, M.M. RAY, of Leon, and WILL RAY, of Atchison, Kan., are left to mourn the loss of a loving and devoted sister.

Her remains were brought to Leon Friday afternoon and taken to the home of A.J. ALLEN where the funeral was held Saturday morning at 9 o'clock, conducted by Rev. W.M. Gardner, a Presbyterian Minister of Reedsville, Penna., interment being in the Leon Cemetery by the side of her parents.

Those from a distance who attended the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. Joe Prichard, Olin Prichard, Miss Lois Cockrell, Miss Dollie Steckman, Princeton, Mo., Will Ray, Atchison, Kan.; B.F. Bates, Mrs. R.B. Van Dyke, Chariton.

The floral offerings were many and beautiful, testifying in mute admiration to the love and esteem of her many friends.

Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
"With permission from the Leon Journal Reporter"
March 27, 2003