Dorothy Wray

Dorothy Ellen Wray, 90, formerly of Iola, Kansas, passed away Sunday, October 27, 2013, at Emeritus at Spicewood Springs in Austin, Texas. Dorothy was born May 19, 1923 in Iola to Henry R. and Ruth Strong Hess. She attended Iola schools and is a graduate of Iola High School and Iola Junior College. Following graduation in 1943, she taught a year in a rural school and in 1944 went to Jefferson Elementary School where she taught second grade until 1949. Dorothy continued her education at Emporia State and Pittsburg State. On October 16, 1949, Dorothy was married to Maurice C. Wray in Iola. In 1951 she returned to teaching as a substitute teacher in District #257, a position she held for 42 years, retiring in 1993. She was a lifetime member of the First Christian Church where she served as a Sunday School teacher, a member of the diaconate, an Elder and was a member of the chancel choir for more than 40 years. A member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 15, Dorothy was a charter member of the Allen County Hospital Auxiliary holding various offices including president. She was a very active member and promoter of bloodmobiles in Iola and served as chairman of the Community Bloodmobile program for more than 10 years. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Maurice Wray in 1996 son, Hal Wray in 2009 and siblings, Glenroy Hess, Katherine Waite, Marion Foster and Louise Baker. She is survived by her sons, Mike and his wife, Barbara, of Austin, Texas and son Eric of Fort Scott, daughter-in-law Angela Wray of Moran, as well as grandsons Dr. Charlie Wray and his wife, Dr. Jennifer Wray of Loma Linda, CA, Scott Wray and his wife Ashley of Clear Lake, Texas and granddaughter, Kelly Wray of Austin and College Station, Texas. Dorothy moved to Austin with Mike and his family in 2008 and is now returned to her Iola home. FUNERAL SERVICE: 2:00 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013, at the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola, where the family will received friends from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. BURIAL: Highland Cemetery, Iola, Kansas MEMORIAL CHOICES: First Christian Church or Allen County Regional Hospital Auxiliary to benefit the Community Blood Drive Memorial gifts may be left with the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences for the family may be left on this website, www.iolafuneral.com .