Helen V Ray

Graveside Services and Interment for Helen V. Ray will be held on Friday, October 2, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. in the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege, Nebraska with Pastor Craig Roberts officiating.

Helen Viola (McCrea) (Johnson) Ray, 90 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away Sunday, September 27, 2015 at the Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege.  Helen was born December 1, 1924 in Phelps County, Nebraska, the only child born to Virgil Dale and Viola Lucille "Jim" (Craig) McCrea.  She received her education from Holdrege Public Schools, graduating from Holdrege High School with the class of 1942.

She was united in marriage to Virgil "Keith" Johnson in 1950, the couple were blessed with two children they adopted:  James Dale and Paula Sue.  They made their home in Denver, Colorado, before moving to Los Angeles, California in 1964.  While in Denver, Helen was baptized Southern Baptist in 1960.  In 1968, they returned to Holdrege.  Throughout the years, Helen was employed by various banks in the communities she lived as a bank teller, while in Holdrege she was also employed by Artistic Woven Labels and loved operating a day care from her home.

Helen was a strong willed and independent woman, who spoke the truth whenever it needed to be said.  She endured many hardships in her lifetime, but remained standing through them all.  This strength and determination was passed down to her children, and they are very thankful for that.  Helen loved all animals, and always made sure the neighborhood birds, squirrels, and even a little possum were fed.  This is an example of the special kind of heart that she had.

Besides her parents, Helen was preceded in death by her two husbands:  Virgil "Keith" Johnson and Richard Ray; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives.

She leaves to celebrate her life; her two children: Jim Johnson and his wife, Terri of Derby, Kansas and Paula Bagnell and her husband, Jim of North Platte, Nebraska; six grandchildren:  Skyler and Beau Bagnell and Logan, Lance, Matt, and Mike Johnson; and other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 2, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. – Noon at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Helen's honor and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.