Phyllis Jean (Miller) Ray, 88, of Greenwood, IN and lifelong resident of Johnson County passed away Wednesday, December 28, 2016 with her loving family by her side. She was born February 21, 1928 in Indianapolis, IN. to J. Paul Miller and Margaret (Vandivier) Miller. She married Harold Harris Ray on October 26, 1947 in Providence. She was a 1946 graduate of Union Township High School in Johnson County and attended Indiana School of Business. She worked for Farm Bureau Insurance in Indianapolis and retired in 1987 as an executive secretary for Eli Lilly in Indianapolis, IN after twenty-three years of service. She was a sixty-nine year member of Bluff Creek Christian Church in Greenwood. It was there she helped create the Golden Group, was very active in the music ministry as the choir director of the children’s, teen and adult choirs. She enjoyed singing in trios and various singing groups including the Vintage Tones. She enjoyed playing the piano and her music was always used to witness to others about Jesus and she would say her most important work was witnessing about her great God and Jesus, her Savior. She also had been active in numerous Bible studies through the years. She had many lifelong friends, never met a stranger, loved telling jokes, cooking and enjoyed trying new recipes. She enjoyed supporting many charities including Johnson University where she attended Senior Saints in the Smokies numerous times. Her guest bedroom was “home” to many out of state visitors. She and her husband, Harold also enjoyed traveling and visited several countries and traveled throughout the United States. Her great joy was her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as they were always the center of her life. She loved to have family meals and get-togethers.
Surviving is her loving husband of 70 years, Harold Harris Ray of Greenwood; three children Stephen Ray (Judy) of Greenwood, IN, David Ray (Teri) of Greenwood, IN, and Tammy (Ray) Huckstep (Mark) of Avon, IN; six grandchildren: Angi Wright (Jamie) of Camby, IN, Jacy Jackson (Brian) of Mason, OH, Trista Taylor (Steve) of Morrow, OH, Kyla Wright (Joe) of Normal, IL, Craig Huckstep of Fishers, IN, and Jared Huckstep (Cari) of Indianapolis, IN; one step-grandchild Melody Turner (Jason) of Ft. Worth, TX; twelve great-grandchildren: AJ, Leah, Justin, Addy, Kyan, Mason, Bristol, Lincoln, Avie, Alexandria, Maddie, and Max, and her sister Patricia (Miller) Gillett of Franklin, IN.
She was preceded in death by her brother in law, Wayne Gillett. Pastor Jared Huckstep will conduct a service on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at 11:00 am at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN. Friends may call Monday, January 2, 2017 from 3-7 at the Memorial Center. Burial will be in Bluff Creek Cemetery in Greenwood, IN. The family requests memorial contributions be made to Johnson University, 7900 Johnson Dr., Knoxville, TN 37998, Attention: Phyllis Ray Scholarship Fund. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com. Information at 317-738-0202.