Mrs. Dorothy Howell (Shipman) Ray

Obituary

Mrs. Dorothy Shipman Ray, age 89, departed this earthly realm in the loving company of her family on Sunday, March 28, 2021 at home in Fayetteville

Graveside Homecoming Service:  Monday, April 5, 2021 at 3:00 PM, Cumberland Memorial Gardens, 4509 Raeford Road, Fayetteville, NC  28304

Viewings:  McKoy & Sons Mortuary, 412 E. Armfield St., St. Pauls, NC  28384

Sunday:  April 4, 2021, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM.

Sunday,  April 4,  2021, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM, Family will receive guest.

Monday:  April 5, 2021, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM and Family will receive guest from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM.

The family will receive family and friends at 1937 Ashton Road., Fayetteville, NC  28304.

Dorothy Howell Shipman Ray peacefully entered into eternal rest on March 28, 2021.

Dorothy was born in Marion, South Carolina to the late James and Alice Wilds Howell.  She was the fifth of six (6) children.  After the death of her parents, she was raised in Florence, South Carolina by her Uncle Abner and Aunt Sarah Wilds, along with their children, Ida and Mable.  She loved First Missionary Baptist Church of St. Pauls, NC.  She served faithfully not only as a diligent Usher Board Member but as a Senior Choir member for over ten years.  She also served as President of the Senior Choir for five years.

Dorothy was a gifted and passionate worker for Black and Decker Manufacturing Plant in Hope Mills, NC for more than 15 years before retiring.  After her retirement, she took a special job as a teacher with The Child Care Solutions Program (Cumberland County Department of Social Services).  This job was tailored to "Building Excellence in Early Childhood Care."  After working for eleven years with Social Services, she retired in 2009 as her health began to fail.  Although she retired, she never stopped teaching.  Dorothy was an outstanding dedicated member of Mary Bethune Chapter #603 The Order of Eastern Stars.  Over her sixty years of membership, she advanced to "Worthy Matron" and served in that position from 1992-1994.  In 1992, she was inducted into The Order of The Golden Circle "Loyal Lady" in the Carpenter Assembly #164.  

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Verlin Shipman; two brothers, Clarence Howell and James Howell; three sisters, Maggie Scott, Ida Graves, and Lucille Hagwood; guardian parents, as well as Roxy, her beloved pomeranian.

Dorothy is survived by; her loving husband, Willie James Ray (38 years); six children, Alice Shipman Fozard (Jon), Marvin E. Shipman (Audrey), Glinda G. Shipman, James E. Shipman, Jr. (Sarah), Katrina Shipman Murphy and Darius A. Shipman; three step-daughters, Rev. Patricia Harris-Willis, Lissy A. Tucker (Macon) and Teresa Ray; three step-sons, Rev. Benny Ray (Annie), Willie Ray, Jr. (Geraldine) and Eric Ray (Jessica); one brother-in-law, Robert L. Ray; two sisters-in-law, Stella M. Shaw and Minnie P. Grimes (Arthur).  She was also blessed with several grandchildren, great grands, great great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.  We the family, would like to give a special "Thank You" to Montine Odom, her caregiver and friend.

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