Memorials › Martha Tappe Ray

Martha Tappe Ray

14 Nov 1917 – 25 Mar 2020

Birth14 Nov 1917
Death25 Mar 2020
CemeteryMorton Cemetery
Richmond , Fort Bend County , Texas , USA
Added byCarolyn Brinkmeyer on 27 Mar 2020
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/208435639

Bio

Fort Bend Herald, March 27, 2020: A private family graveside will be held for Martha Tappe Ray, 102, of Rosenberg, TX. A Memorial Service will be planned at a later date. Martha Tappe Ray passed away March 25, 2020. She was born November 14, 1917, on the family farm in William Penn, TX, Washington County, to Henry and Katie Lampe Tappe. Martha married Grady Ray on June 7, 1942. She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Katie; husband, Grady; brothers, Herbert and Walter Sr.; sisters, Louise Addicks, Leona LaRosa, and Dorothy Bingham. She is survived by daughter, Cynthia Ray of San Antonio; son, Bob Ray and wife, Jo Ann, of Rosenberg; grandson, Stephen Ray and wife, Ashley; and soon to be great-grandson in August. She is also survived by special friend and sister-in-law, Ruth Tappe. Her nieces and nephews were near to her heart, always looking forward for a reason for a family reunion. She was so happy to see all the family together for her 100th birthday. She was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ in Rosenberg and was active in Women’s Guild, Martha Circle, and taught Sunday School. She was the first woman elected to the church council. As a young girl her dad loaded all the family belongings on a flatbed rail car and moved to Fort Bend County. Martha graduated from Rosenberg High School in 1925. She attended Draughon’s Business College in 1935. On January 1, 1937, she became the first Secretary to a County Judge in Fort Bend County, a position she held for six years. Martha and Grady lived in Freeport for several years while Grady worked for Dow Chemical in their instrument department. In 1949 they opened Ray Glass Company in Rosenberg which is still in operation today. She worked for the company until her children started school. When Cynthia and Bob were in school, she became very active in the Parent Teacher Association. She was involved in the PTA on the local, council, and district level. She holds a life membership in the Texas Congress of Parents and Teachers. Through her church she became interested in Helping Hands and volunteered for several years. She was interested in Early Childhood Development program which became Fort Bend Family Health Center. For over 65 years, she enjoyed helping with her High School class reunions. She had a great passion for Fort Bend County history. She was active in the Fort Bend County Museum as a volunteer. She was a founding member of the museum Docents. She gave tours at the museum, Moore House, and the historical 1908 courthouse. She boarded school buses to give tours to school children around Richmond and historical Morton Cemetery. She was a member of the Fort Bend Historical Commission for many years. She was one of the original board members of the Rosenberg Railroad Museum and was on the Board of Directors for fourteen years. The family would like to give special thanks to all the staff at Cambridge Assisted Living, Rosenberg, TX, for six years of loving care and friendship. Memorials may be given in her memory to St. John's United Church of Christ Memorial Fund, 1513 West Street, Rosenberg, TX 77471, or to Fort Bend County Museum Association, 500 Houston Street, Richmond, TX 77469. Online condolences may be written for the Ray family at www.garmanycarden.com. Services are under the direction of Garmany & Carden Funeral Directors, 1201 Fourth Street, Rosenberg, TX 77471 (281)342-4671.

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