| | Dr. Blair Spencer Ray 
WINTER HAVEN - Dr. Blair Spencer Ray, 68, died early Wednesday morning, July 1, 2009, at Life Care Center of Winter Haven after a graceful eleven year battle with ovarian cancer. She was born January 2, 1941 in Newport News, VA, and grew up in the Washington, DC suburbs. After graduating from Florida State University in 1962, she was married and began her teaching career at Winter Haven Senior High School. She and her former husband Keith E. Ray had three children from 1964 to 1970. After earning her M.A. in Language and Literature in 1974 from the University of South Florida, she began teaching at Polk Community College in the English Department. During her tenure, she published a Technical Report Writing textbook for Prentice Hall in 1989. She took a sabbatical to earn her Ph.D in Rhetoric and Composition with an emphasis in Technical Report Writing from the University of Alabama in 1995. Dr. Ray returned to Winter Haven to resume teaching at Polk Community College until 1998, when she was forced to retire in order to concentrate on her battle with ovarian cancer. Among the awards she received during her 25 year teaching career, she was proudest of the Cowan Award for Excellence in Teaching English in the Two-Year College, a 9-state professional teaching association, in 1984, and the George Jenkins Teaching Chair award in 1999. Blair was very active in the community serving on the Board of Directors for Meals on Wheels, as well as working as a volunteer driver for many years. She served as a guardian for children’s rights in the court system with the Guardian Ad Litem program. Other activities included Good Shepherd Hospice as a volunteer, and most recently as a tutor for Girl’s Inc., when well enough. She is survived by her three children, Mary Blair Ray of Savannah, Georgia, Keith Anderson “Andy” Ray (Sherie) of Winter Haven, Florida, and Allison M. Ray-Mook (Jennifer Mook) of Valrico, Florida. Two grandsons; Kasey and Riley. A step-sister Ann Lyons of Virginia, and many beloved friends who have been like family. Visitation will be at Oakridge Funeral Care at 2425 W. Havendale Blvd. in Winter Haven on Sunday, July 5, 2009 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A celebration of her life will be held at First Presbyterian Church, where she was a long time member, on Monday, July 6, 2009 at 11:00 a.m., with a reception immediately following in McLeod Hall at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Meals on Wheels and the Polk Community College Scholarship Foundation. Condolences may be sent at www.oakridgefuneralcare.com. |
