Sandra Hurst Ray

Sandra Jean Ray, 55 a resident of Fort Sumner, NM since 1992 died Wednesday, April 25, 2001 at her home. Sandy was born April 30, 1945 in Fort Sumner to the home of James Mourice Hurst and the former Mattie Cleveland Walker. She was reared and attended schools at Grants, NM and Salem, Arkansas. She graduated from high school at Salem. She married Kenneth Joe Ray, Sr. on August 23, 1962 in Salem. Sandy worked for a shirt factory in Salem. She later worked for 17 years as a dietitian at a hospital in West Plains, MO. In 1992 Sandy made her home in Fort Sumner where she owned and operated Sandy’s Candy. While in Fort Sumner Sandy became active in community affairs and served as a director and President of the De Baca County Chamber of Commerce. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Fort Sumner. Sandy enjoyed needlepoint, crocheting, camping with her family, and reading books. She loved the outdoors. Her favorite pastime was baking; she spent many hours especially during the holidays filling orders for cookies and cakes. Sandy was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt who cared deeply for her family, church family, and many friends. Sandy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Kenneth Joe Ray Sr. in 1992; an infant brother Scotty Hurst; her father-in-law Houston Sylvester Ray in 1981; two sisters-in-law Arla Hurst in 1986 and Pat Ray in 1992. Survivors include two sons Kenneth Ray and his wife Sherry of Salem, Arkansas; Ronald Ray of Tucker, Arkansas, one daughter Maloa Cincotta and husband John of Peace Valley, Missouri, two brothers Monell Hurst and wife Ruth of Salem, Arkansas; Bobby Hurst and wife Beverly of Lithia Springs, GA; six grandchildren, Kayla Ray, Jessica Ray, Michael Ray, Timothy Cincotta, Michael Cincotta, and Ron Becker. Other survivors include a special friend Cecil West of Fort Sumner, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of good friends. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. (M.S.T.) Monday, April 30, 2001 from the Chavez Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Sumner, New Mexico with Rev. Coy Brewer and Rev. Stanley Newton officiating. Burial will follow in the Hurst family plot, Fort Sumner Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday and Sunday from 1PM to 6PM and Monday from 9AM until service time. The family prefers memorials to the American Cancer Society in Sandy’s memory. All arrangements are entrusted to Chavez Funeral Home, 804 North Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (505) 355-2311.