Obituary for Janet Ray Thomas
Janet Ray Thomas, 81, passed away peacefully on Friday May 15, 2020, after a brief battle with pneumonia. She was known by family and friends as a loving, generous and caring person, a Christian who always tried to help, support and encourage others through her eight decades on earth. She liked reading books and reading the Bible, jigsaw puzzles, watching Family Feud and police dramas, and taking bus day trips through AAA auto services. She founded the civic club "That's What Friends Are For" and was its President for 18 years.
One of 6 children born to Walter and Florence Ray, she was a native of Harriston, Virginia, moving to Rochester, NY in 1957, where she worked at Monroe County Hospital (later Monroe Community Hospital) for 38 years, retiring in 1996. She was formerly a member of New Bethel CME Church as well as Church of Love, and most recently Rhema Life Community Church.
She was preceded in death by her sisters Hattie Jerline Bell, Charlotte Catherine Moore, and brothers James Edward (Jimmy), Vernell Persell (Tootie) and Lee Franklin (Budgie) Ray. She is survived by her children Lisa Thomas, Edward Thomas (spouse Maylinda), grandchildren Joseph Shankweiler (spouse Irene), Grant Thomas (spouse Alexandra) and Samuel Thomas (spouse Ashley), Christopher, Nic, Marcus and Tim Stanfield, and a host of great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.
If desired, flowers in her memory can be sent to: Metropolitan Funeral Chapels 109 West Ave, Rochester, NY 14611.
Visitation and service will be private with interment scheduled in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Metropolitan Funeral Chapels of Rochester and Kyger Funeral Home of Harrisonburg, Virginia are in care of funeral arrangements.
One of 6 children born to Walter and Florence Ray, she was a native of Harriston, Virginia, moving to Rochester, NY in 1957, where she worked at Monroe County Hospital (later Monroe Community Hospital) for 38 years, retiring in 1996. She was formerly a member of New Bethel CME Church as well as Church of Love, and most recently Rhema Life Community Church.
She was preceded in death by her sisters Hattie Jerline Bell, Charlotte Catherine Moore, and brothers James Edward (Jimmy), Vernell Persell (Tootie) and Lee Franklin (Budgie) Ray. She is survived by her children Lisa Thomas, Edward Thomas (spouse Maylinda), grandchildren Joseph Shankweiler (spouse Irene), Grant Thomas (spouse Alexandra) and Samuel Thomas (spouse Ashley), Christopher, Nic, Marcus and Tim Stanfield, and a host of great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.
If desired, flowers in her memory can be sent to: Metropolitan Funeral Chapels 109 West Ave, Rochester, NY 14611.
Visitation and service will be private with interment scheduled in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Metropolitan Funeral Chapels of Rochester and Kyger Funeral Home of Harrisonburg, Virginia are in care of funeral arrangements.