MONA RAY

March 19, 1924 - December 31, 2015

Mona Lois Ray, 91 of Kankakee, IL, died Thursday, December 31, 2015 at her residence. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 5, 2016 from 11:00 A.M. until time of funeral services at 12:00 P.M. at Shiloh Full Gospel Church. Pastor Alan Roundtree will officiate. Burial will be in Mound Grove Gardens of Memory. Mona Lois Ray was born on March 19, 1924 in Connellsville, PA to Robert Sr. and Eulah Strader. She spent her childhood in Fitz Henry, PA as a coalminer’s daughter. At a young age, Mona married Robert Ray, he preceded her in death. To this union, one son, Bruce was born. Later in life, she was united with Haywood Bush Sr. The two of them had four children: Beverly, Ingrid, Letitia and Haywood Jr. Mona worked many jobs throughout her life. She even worked as a welder during World War II. She retired from Manteno Mental Health Center where she worked over 20 years as a Mental Health Technician. Never willing to sit still, Mona worked for a number of years as a substitute cook in Kankakee School District 111. Even when she stopped babysitting, she continued to work as a Personal Care Assistant. Her driven spirit contributed to her long and fulfilling life. Mona was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church for several years. While there, she served as a member of the Nurse’s Board and Pastor’s Aid Society. Later she would unite with Shiloh Full Gospel. Mona worked in the kitchen for several years and was inducted into the Mothers’ Board. Mona’s prized possession was her spoon collection. If you were traveling, you had better return with a spoon to add to the collection. Look all you want, but please don’t touch! She also collected limited edition quarters. Even if the quarter did not fit into one of her collection displays, she held on to it just the same. Mona leaves to cherish her memory, two sons and three daughters, Bruce E. (Murretta) Ray of Bourbonnais, IL, Beverly Y. Stewart of Clermont, FL, Ingrid A. Fortinberry and Letitia M. Bush, (Roosevelt Williams) both of Kankakee, IL and Haywood (Elois) Bush Jr. of Sauk Village, IL; thirteen grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends. Preceding Mona in death were her parents; one brother and sister-in-law, Robert Sr. and Elizabeth Strader; one sister and brother-in-law, Lettie and Julius Edwards and two special friends, Corine Collins and Willie B. Wallace.