Celebration of Life Services for Mrs. Lenora H. Ray were held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Paradise Missionary Baptist Church, 1106 E. Pushmataha St., Butler, Alabama with Rev. Zachary B. Williams, Officiating.  Rev. Jasper Irby, Pastor.  Interment, St. John CME Church Cemetery, 268 Brown Landing Road, Butler, Alabama.

Lenora H. Ray, also known as, "Tootnie," to her close family and friends was born on November 25, 1928, to Fred Hampton and Willie Hampton.  She made a peaceful transition at her home on April 22, 2025.

She confessed her life to Christ at an early age at Morning Star Baptist Church.

Later in life, Lenora met and married Harding Ray.  To this union 3 children were born.  Billy E. Ray, Constance Ray, and Barbara Ray.  After marriage, she became a member of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Butler, Alabama where she served as a Sunday school teacher and matron.  She was a faithful wife and loving mother, who would make monumental sacrifices for her children, family, and friends.

Later years, she and her husband, Deacon Harding Ray and others founded Paradise Missionary Baptist Church, where she served faithfully and tirelessly until her health failed.  While there, she served as the missionary president, church clerk and actively supported the Gilfield District Convention, and BTU Congress.  She joined the Eastern Star Chapter #651, which was dear to her heart; she dedicated her services faithfully as a financial clerk.

Lenora was also known for her strong will.  She was courageous and knew how to "get a job done."  She was also very business minded.  Although she was not a certified counselor, she counseled and mentored many young women in the community and on her job.  As a mother and grandmother, Lenora strongly encouraged her grands to be the BEST they could be.  She believed in education.  Her famous quote was, "If you're gonna do something, do it right or don't do it at all."

Her career included employment with Mr. and Mrs. Lenoir Whitted, Solomon Brothers Sewing Factory, Insurance Representative for Weatherly, Avon Representative, American Can Company, later know as, James River and Georgia Pacific, where she retired.

She was preceded in death by her husband: Deacon Harding Ray; her parents: Fred Hampton and Willie Evans; brother: Julius Hampton; sisters, Aria "Irene" Turner, Ethel Martin, and Shirley Outlaw.

She leaves to mourn: her 3 children, Billy E. Ray, Constance McGrew (Claude), Dr. Barbara Allen (Fred); 4 grandchildren: Yolanda Bryant (Charles), Kenya Morse (Richard), Keisa McGrew, and Jared Allen (Regina); 9 great-grandchildren: Serena Gilbert (Alex), Alexis Williams (deceased), Rev. Zachary Williams, Kyson Harris, Chloe' Morse, Eden Morse, Corbin Morse, Lee J. Allen, and Jacob Allen; 2 great-great grandchildren: Lena Williams and Emoree' Williams; 3 sisters: Lillie Mae Goins (Richard-deceased), Ollie Jean Hampton and Elizabeth Knight; along with a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.