Celebrating the life of
Mary Helen Jones Ray
April 28, 1916 - October 08, 2010
SAVANNAH – Mary Helen Jones Ray passed away Friday, October 8, 2010, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
A devoted mother and wife, Mrs. Mary Helen Jones Ray, daughter of the late Peter Stokes Jones and Etta Harton Jones and granddaughter of Dr. Montfort Jones and Sara Thomas Feild Jones, was born April 28, 1916 in Drumright, Oklahoma. For several years she lived in Bristow, Oklahoma and Mileston, Mississippi. She was the widow of Naval Lt. George Wesley Ray, who was Assistant Naval Attaché to the U.S. Consulate in Montevideo, Uruguay, and subsequently a stockbroker with Merrill Lynch in Savannah. Her daughter-in-law, Cathryn Doris Ray, also preceded her in death.
Mary Helen was a graduate of the National Cathedral School in Washington, D.C. and Wellesley College in Massachusetts. An avid life-long student of gardening and environmental education, she was certified in landscape design by the Association of Landscape Design and in historic garden and tree landscapes by West Dean College, Sussex, England. Her publications include the co-editorship of A Guide to Significant and Historic Gardens of America and The Travelers Guide to America's Gardens, and authorship of Historic Preservation, A Challenge to Action.
She was a communicant of St. John's Episcopal Church, a member of The National Society of Colonial Dames of America in the State of Georgia, and a member of the Savannah Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Mrs. Ray was past president of The Savannah Symphony Women's Guild, the Savannah Tree Foundation, the Environment Committee of the Governor's Growth Strategies Commission, the National Urban Forest Council, and the Georgia Urban Forest Council. Mrs. Ray was a founding member of the Georgia Conservancy. She was also the Historic Preservation Chairman of the National Garden Clubs and was an active member of the Jamestowne Society of America.
Mary Helen devoted much of her life to the promotion of conservation of natural resources, urban beautification, and the preservation of historic buildings, sites and gardens. She was the chairman of the Savannah Park and Tree Commission for seventeen years and the chairman of the LeConte-Woodmanston Botanical Garden Restoration and of the Southern Garden History Society. She was an active member in the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, the Historic Savannah Foundation, the Bamboo Farm and Coastal Gardens, the Trustee's Garden of 1733, Keep Georgia Beautiful, Keep Savannah Beautiful, and the Georgia Botanical Garden in Athens. Her special projects included the initiation of restoration efforts in the Trustee's Garden of 1733, and in the Survey of Historic and Famous Trees of America.
Mrs. Ray received numerous awards, several of which include the Historic Savannah Foundation's Davenport Trophy for Individual Civic Service, the National Arbor Day Foundation's Joyce Kilmer Award for Outstanding Citizen Forester, the Georgia Urban Forest Council's outstanding achievement award, the American Forestry Association's award for meritorious leadership, the National Urban Forest Council's award for citizen action, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation's civic beautification award for restoration of the Forsyth Park Fountain, and the National Council of State Garden Club's Civic Medal for Environmental Education. As part of their Centennial Celebration, the Park and Tree Commission dedicated a bench in Colonial Cemetery in honor of Mary Helen's seventeen years of service as Chairman of the Commission.
Mary Helen Ray was a former president of the Garden Club of Georgia and the Gordonston Garden Club. She was also a member of the Grand Gardeners, the Garden Club of Savannah, the Ardsley Park Garden Club, the Downtown Garden Club and the National Garden Clubs.
SURVIVORS: Montfort Stokes Ray of Savannah; Peter T. and Linda Ray and their daughter, Natalie Taylor Ray, of Athens, Georgia; a daughter, Patricia Ray of Savannah; nieces Betsy Feild Jones Lynsky of Danville, Virginia; Jane Jones Natzke and Denna Maloy of Ridgeland, Mississippi; Denise Caves of Bristow, Oklahoma; Elaine Caves Nolan of Altus, Oklahoma; Fitzhugh Lee Jones Jackson of Jackson, Mississippi; and many relatives and friends.
The family will receive friends on Sunday from 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday at St. John's Episcopal Church.
Interment will follow in Bonaventure Cemetery.
REMEMBRANCES: St. John's Episcopal Church, 1 West Macon Street, Savannah, GA 31401; Savannah Tribute Trees C/O Park and Tree Department, City of Savannah, P. O. Box 1029, Savannah, GA 31402 or The Savannah Tree Foundation, 3025 Bull Street, Savannah, GA, 31405.
Special thanks go to Hospice Savannah and Home Instead for their devotion and care.
Please sign our on-line guestbook at www.foxandweeks.com
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
Truly, it is better to have loved than to have never loved at all. Mrs. Ray exemplified love, grace and an excellent teacher of life. Patricia, Peter, And Monte did well by ther mother. May GOD continue to bless you and keep you. Mrs. Ray will be sadly missed. Love Always, Katrina J. Smith - former housekeeper
- katrina j. smith, savannah, GA
My aunt Mary Helen, with her smile and charm and beautiful eyes, was a Faerie Queene. She cast a spell, so you wanted to make her dreams come true. Moreover, her visions added beauty to our dull reality, giving life to Savannah's wonderful squares, trees, & plantings. And she loved George, her children, and her extensive Jones family--ancestral and present-day. Thank you, Mary Helen, and God-speed.
- Lee Jones Jackson, Jackson, MS
To: Peter & Linda, Monty and Patricia With deepest sympathy and our prayers on your Mother's passing. Dick & Angela Mahany
- dick mahany, Atlanta, GA
A lovely charming woman who brought such beautification to my hometown of Savannah. As a former district director of the Garden Club of Georgia, I was so glad that I did get to work with her.
- Ellen Schneider Goodrich, Milledgeville, GA
I met Mary Helen as a video teacher at the Oatland Island Education Center. Shannon met her several years later as a gardener in Savannah. We both know that she was a major influence on us as far as trees, gardens, and Savannah. What a pleasure it was to talk to her. We will miss her. She certainly was one of Savannah's most influential ladies.
- Fred & Shannon Wagoner, West Palm Beach, FL
Patricia, With sadness, I read about the passing of your Mother. I shall fondly remember Mary Helen Ray and her generous hospitality upon my arrival in Savannah. She was an individual who unselfishly gave so much of her time in beautifying our built environment for everyone to enjoy. Please accept my sympathy in your sorrow. Most sincerely, Herbert Brito
- Herbert Brito, Savannah, GA
Mary Helen was a mentor,an example,a leader,a hero and a friend.I feel very blessed to have had her 'once in a lifetime' influence in my own life.
- Kenny Power, Savannah, GA
Goodbye to a great lady. I am on my way to Fox & Weeks. I to hope see you there. Ozzie Mikell
- Ozzie Mikell, Okatie, SC
My sympathy. Long friend of family. Oswlad L Mikell Lillian Mikell
- Lillian B MIkell, Okatie, SC
What a wonderful person and will be sorely missed. I cherish the time we worked together on Park & Tree.
- Susan and Reed, Savannah, GA
I knew Mary Helen as a friend of the earth, especially gardens,as a valued contributor to her community and as a wonderful lady. She will be missed.
- Patricia Ryan, Savannah, GA
Tricia & Monty ~ What an exceptional person! Mary Helen left the world a better place, and we're all lucky to have known her. With love, and fond memories of you all, ~ Caroline
- Caroline McGehee Allen, Dallas, TX
A truly great lady. A friend to all of us.
- Bud Mingledorff, Bluffton, SC
We are all very mindful and most grateful to Mary Helen for her contributions to our community. Helen Lynah
- Mary Helen Jones Ray, Savannah, GA
Love you dearly, We will miss your smile even when you sick. Love Forever Alicia
- alicia camlin, Savannah, Ga., GA
The family has lost a very special member. She was loved by all of us and will be greatly missed by all of her family and friends. Bettie Payne and Hobby McGehee
- Hobby & Bettie Payne McGehee, Jackson, MS
Truly, it is better to have loved than to have never loved at all. Mrs. Ray exemplified love, grace and an excellent teacher of life. Patricia, Peter, And Monte did well by ther mother. May GOD continue to bless you and keep you. Mrs. Ray will be sadly missed. Love Always, Katrina J. Smith - former housekeeper
- katrina j. smith, savannah, GA
My aunt Mary Helen, with her smile and charm and beautiful eyes, was a Faerie Queene. She cast a spell, so you wanted to make her dreams come true. Moreover, her visions added beauty to our dull reality, giving life to Savannah's wonderful squares, trees, & plantings. And she loved George, her children, and her extensive Jones family--ancestral and present-day. Thank you, Mary Helen, and God-speed.
- Lee Jones Jackson, Jackson, MS
To: Peter & Linda, Monty and Patricia With deepest sympathy and our prayers on your Mother's passing. Dick & Angela Mahany
- dick mahany, Atlanta, GA
A lovely charming woman who brought such beautification to my hometown of Savannah. As a former district director of the Garden Club of Georgia, I was so glad that I did get to work with her.
- Ellen Schneider Goodrich, Milledgeville, GA
I met Mary Helen as a video teacher at the Oatland Island Education Center. Shannon met her several years later as a gardener in Savannah. We both know that she was a major influence on us as far as trees, gardens, and Savannah. What a pleasure it was to talk to her. We will miss her. She certainly was one of Savannah's most influential ladies.
- Fred & Shannon Wagoner, West Palm Beach, FL
Patricia, With sadness, I read about the passing of your Mother. I shall fondly remember Mary Helen Ray and her generous hospitality upon my arrival in Savannah. She was an individual who unselfishly gave so much of her time in beautifying our built environment for everyone to enjoy. Please accept my sympathy in your sorrow. Most sincerely, Herbert Brito
- Herbert Brito, Savannah, GA
Mary Helen was a mentor,an example,a leader,a hero and a friend.I feel very blessed to have had her 'once in a lifetime' influence in my own life.
- Kenny Power, Savannah, GA
Goodbye to a great lady. I am on my way to Fox & Weeks. I to hope see you there. Ozzie Mikell
- Ozzie Mikell, Okatie, SC
My sympathy. Long friend of family. Oswlad L Mikell Lillian Mikell
- Lillian B MIkell, Okatie, SC
What a wonderful person and will be sorely missed. I cherish the time we worked together on Park & Tree.
- Susan and Reed, Savannah, GA
I knew Mary Helen as a friend of the earth, especially gardens,as a valued contributor to her community and as a wonderful lady. She will be missed.
- Patricia Ryan, Savannah, GA
Tricia & Monty ~ What an exceptional person! Mary Helen left the world a better place, and we're all lucky to have known her. With love, and fond memories of you all, ~ Caroline
- Caroline McGehee Allen, Dallas, TX
A truly great lady. A friend to all of us.
- Bud Mingledorff, Bluffton, SC
We are all very mindful and most grateful to Mary Helen for her contributions to our community. Helen Lynah
- Mary Helen Jones Ray, Savannah, GA
Love you dearly, We will miss your smile even when you sick. Love Forever Alicia
- alicia camlin, Savannah, Ga., GA
The family has lost a very special member. She was loved by all of us and will be greatly missed by all of her family and friends. Bettie Payne and Hobby McGehee
- Hobby & Bettie Payne McGehee, Jackson, MS
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
