Stephanie Strawbridge
Azia Mae Ray departed this earthly life on August 31, 2022, while a resident of the Grande Pointe Healthcare Center in Richmond Heights, Ohio. She was the 4th child born to the late Mark Hannah and Ilia Mae Crain on February 18, 1932, in New Edinburg, Arkansas.
At an early age she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at Piney Grove A.M.E. Church in New Edinburg, which was owned and built by her late grandfather, Allen Crain, and others.
In 1951, after attending New Edinburg and Pine Bluff, Arkansas schools, Azia graduated from Merrill High School before moving to Cleveland, Ohio.
On December 22, 1952 she wed the late Peter Ray, to which she was married for 44 years. To this union she also became a loving stepmother of two children, the late Alfred Ray and Ruby Jean Hoover.
In 1953, Azia began working for Sani-Speed Manufacturing Company until October of 1974, when she embarked on a career with Gould, Inc. an electronics and electrical products company (later Westinghouse, currently Northrop Grumman). In December of 1991, she retired as a Communications Clerk after 17 years of service.
Azia often enjoyed spending time with her 12 siblings and often was the conduit for the younger ones to move north from Arkansas. She was tiny in structure, but she played a major role in helping her siblings successfully transition from southern living to the northern city life.
Those who were close to her, knew her as a true and loyal friend. She was an exceptional cook and she enjoyed hosting dinners for family and friends on Sundays and for the holidays. One of her favorite past times was watching the Cleveland Indians play on television.
Azia’s Masonic affiliation consisted of: Queen Elizabeth Chapter No. 9, O.E.S., PHA, Amaranth Grand Chapter. Azia received her 35-year membership pin from Amaranth Grand Chapter in August 2021. El Hasa Court No. 47, Daughters, Auxiliary of AEAONMS. Former member of Bezaleel Assembly No. 19, Order of Golden Circle, PHA.
In addition to her parents Azia was preceded in death by her husband, Peter Ray; her sisters: Lydia King, Betty Smith, Vodia Carroll, Odia V. Tisdale; and brothers: James Crain, Mark Crain, Ester Crain and Homer Crain.
God called Azia home to eternal rest. She leaves to cherish her memories sisters Barbara D. Frederick, Carolyn Ray of Cleveland, Ohio, and brothers Marvin W. Crain (Lynette) of Cincinnati, Ohio, Billy G. Crain (Carolyn) of Little Rock, Arkansas and her beloved brothers-in-law Timothy Frederick of Alabama and Herman Tisdale of Arkansas and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
At an early age she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at Piney Grove A.M.E. Church in New Edinburg, which was owned and built by her late grandfather, Allen Crain, and others.
In 1951, after attending New Edinburg and Pine Bluff, Arkansas schools, Azia graduated from Merrill High School before moving to Cleveland, Ohio.
On December 22, 1952 she wed the late Peter Ray, to which she was married for 44 years. To this union she also became a loving stepmother of two children, the late Alfred Ray and Ruby Jean Hoover.
In 1953, Azia began working for Sani-Speed Manufacturing Company until October of 1974, when she embarked on a career with Gould, Inc. an electronics and electrical products company (later Westinghouse, currently Northrop Grumman). In December of 1991, she retired as a Communications Clerk after 17 years of service.
Azia often enjoyed spending time with her 12 siblings and often was the conduit for the younger ones to move north from Arkansas. She was tiny in structure, but she played a major role in helping her siblings successfully transition from southern living to the northern city life.
Those who were close to her, knew her as a true and loyal friend. She was an exceptional cook and she enjoyed hosting dinners for family and friends on Sundays and for the holidays. One of her favorite past times was watching the Cleveland Indians play on television.
Azia’s Masonic affiliation consisted of: Queen Elizabeth Chapter No. 9, O.E.S., PHA, Amaranth Grand Chapter. Azia received her 35-year membership pin from Amaranth Grand Chapter in August 2021. El Hasa Court No. 47, Daughters, Auxiliary of AEAONMS. Former member of Bezaleel Assembly No. 19, Order of Golden Circle, PHA.
In addition to her parents Azia was preceded in death by her husband, Peter Ray; her sisters: Lydia King, Betty Smith, Vodia Carroll, Odia V. Tisdale; and brothers: James Crain, Mark Crain, Ester Crain and Homer Crain.
God called Azia home to eternal rest. She leaves to cherish her memories sisters Barbara D. Frederick, Carolyn Ray of Cleveland, Ohio, and brothers Marvin W. Crain (Lynette) of Cincinnati, Ohio, Billy G. Crain (Carolyn) of Little Rock, Arkansas and her beloved brothers-in-law Timothy Frederick of Alabama and Herman Tisdale of Arkansas and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
