Courtesy of Greer Funeral Home

Earnesten Reed Ray-Sanders

© Greer Funeral Home

Used With Permission

Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

Earnesten Ray-Sanders, age 84, of Oklahoma City, formerly of Mangum, passed away Wednesday morning, April 25, 2012, at Northwest Nurses Center, in Oklahoma City.

Mrs. Sanders was born on April 7, 1928, to Lincoln Chester and Willie Mae Reed in Mangum, Oklahoma. She was the fifth child of six siblings. Earnesten received her education in the Mangum area public schools district and did graduate from the Booker T. Washington High School.

Earnesten accepted Christ at an early age as her personal Savior and was baptized. She later became a member of the St. John Baptist Church in Mangum, Oklahoma, serving faithfully as a Sunday School Teacher and Leader of the Women’s Mission Society.

Earnesten met and married Mr. George Ray in 1944. Later, she married Mr. Willie Sanders. “Momma Earnesten” truly, loved and adored raising (all thirteen) of her children. She lived the better part of her life as a stay at homemaker. She began her work career outside the home when she became employed with the Mangum Nursing Center. Also, she worked as a caretaker for Mrs. Reynolds. Above all, Mamma Earnesten’s favorite things to do were working in her garden, shopping and especially spending time praising The Lord. Her house truly was a place always full of children, friends and family. If you needed an ear she was there to listen, advising you the Godly way of doing things.

On April 25, 2012, Earnesten closed her eyes to enter a peaceful rest with The Lord. She now joins those that have preceded her in death namely her parents Lincoln and Willlie Mae; husbands George Ray and Willie Sanders; three daughters Jenette, Carie “Cookie” and Patricia; one son Ricky, one daughter-in-law Muriel, two brothers Jack and LC; three sisters Joyce, Grace and Billie.

Precious memories or our Momma Earnesten will forever be cherished in the hearts of those that honored her as truly the Family Matriarch; (9 children) Elizabeth Lane (William), Joyce Ray, Helen Callins (Bobby, Sr.), Robert Ray (Jackie), Jerry Ray (Tina), Willie Reed, Lisa Williams, Diane Ray-Sanders, Michael McDougle and Marshall Ray; An Armful of Grands, Great Grands and Great-Great Grandchildren (1) half-brother James; a best friend Mamie Singleton; a host of very special relatives, and extended Church family members. Thank-you God For Momma Earnesten’s Time here with us!

Funeral services for Earnesten Ray Sanders will be at 1 p.m., Thursday, May 3, 2012, at First Baptist Church with Pastor James Callins and Pastor Dean Frazier officiating. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery under the direction of Greer Funeral Home of Mangum.

Online tributes may be made to the family at www.GreerFuneral.com