Obit of Judy Carolyn Rayes (r200) - Grady County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Sandy Carter 30 Jun 2003 Return to Grady County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/grady/grady.html ========================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ========================================================================== The Chickasha Star-Express 20 April 2003 JUDY CAROLYN RAYES Longtime caring educator remembered as "mother" to students, professional, role model. Judy Carolyn Rayes, possessed something that cannot be learned in the nation's schools of higher education. Judy, a woman who possessed the ability to convey a genuine sense of respect, love and compassion to thousands of people with whom she came into contact, passed away suddenly at age 53, on April 3, 2003, in Paramount, California. At the time of her death, Judy was principal of Bellflower High School in Bellflower, California. She leaves a legacy of love and learning that will be remembered by those who knew her during her 26 years tenure as counselor, assistant principal and principal. Judy was born in Chickasha, Oklahoma, December 15, 1949, to proud parents Geraldine and Tony Rayes. She and her five brothers and one sister grew up in a loving household with strict rules and an emphasis on education. The Rayes family were members of the First Baptist Church in Chickasha. Judy graduated from Chickasha High School and Oklahoma College of Liberal Arts in Chickasha, Oklahoma with a BA degree in History/Education; Cal State College, San Bernardino, California with an MA in Administration from the University of Riverside in Riverside, California. Judy joined Bellflower Unified School District as an adult counselor in 1977. She later became a counselor at Mayfair High School. Following a term as principal of Educational Options at Somerset High School, she was appointed principal of Bellflower High School in September 2002. Judy's Christian walk was just as important to her as her education. She was a devoted Sunday school teacher for Adult #3 class at Mt. Horeb MBC in Los Angeles, California, where she was a member. Young children were special to her and she always supported them in her quiet soft-spoken way. Coworkers stated that Rayes would tilt her head, put her hand on her hip, purse her lips together, and give a half-smile, a look that said it all. She would make time for those who needed her, and had the capability to make you feel comfortable and at ease. She was a hard worker - a tireless worker - who loved the kids she mentored through the years. After moving west to California, Rayes was fluent in Spanish, a skill that aided her immensely when dealing with the Spanish-speaking parents of Bellflower Unified School district students. Rayes' dedication to her students was evident in February 2000 when Somerset High School won statewide recognition for teaching continuation students career skills. She felt that every student was a valued member of the educational system. She was preceded in death by her parents, Geraldine and Tony Rayes, brothers Delbert and Ronney Rayes, and beloved niece, Kristi Lynn Fisher. Judy is survived by one sister, Etta Fisher (Charles) of Carson, California, three brothers, Tony Rayes (Billie) of Aurora, Illinois; Larry Rayes (Billye) of Houston, Texas; and Bruce Rayes (Renee), United States Air Force, of Las Vegas, Nevada; a niece, Nicole Fisher and nephew, Andre Fisher, whom she always called her daughter and son. Other survivors include aunts and uncles, Corene and Andrew Thomas of Chickasha, Oklahoma. Beatrice Thomas of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Joe Reyes (Carol) of San Anselmo, California; a sister-in-law, Mary Rayes of Aurora, Illinois; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Her extended family includes many, many students, ex-students, and friends. More than 1,000 friends, family, coworkers and students who had been touched by Rayes packed Hosanna Chapel on Bellflower Boulevard Saturday. April 12, 2003, at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. A. B. Simon, senior pastor at Mount Horeb Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles, officiating. The family asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to The Kristi Lynn Fisher Memorial Scholarship Fund, C/OMt. Horeb Missionary Baptist Church, 1130 W. Manchester Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90044. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Grady County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/grady/grady.html