Dec. 2, 1936 – Oct. 26, 2019

NATCHEZ—Services for Patricia Roth Ray, 82, of Natchez, who died Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary Basilica with the Rev. Scott Thomas officiating.    
Burial will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.
Visitation will be from 5 to 6:30 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the church.
Patricia “Pat” Roth Ray was born Dec. 2, 1936, in New Orleans, and was a resident of Natchez since 1963.
Pat was a member of St. Mary Basilica, where she served on the flower guild, attended weekly Mass and Adoration and was a greeter for many years. She also enjoyed praying the rosary and attending Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes.  She was a member of the Pilgrimage Garden Club, worked in the tourism industry, managed the Carriage House restaurant and Hope Farm, received at Linden Plantation and delivered meals for the Natchez Stewpot. At Cathedral School, she served as the treasurer of the Fall Festival for many years and performed in the Old Timers show with her friends, which was always a huge hit!
She enjoyed playing bridge, needlepointing, crocheting, cooking, and spending time with her dear friends. She remained an avid Saints fan her entire life.
Her greatest joy was spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who affectionately called her “Pattee”.
Pat was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Ada Roth; one brother, Edward “Bud” Roth and his wife, Shirley; and her former husband, John W. Ray Jr.
Survivors include her children, Terry Ray Dever of Natchez, John Wesley Ray III (Theresa Casino) of Athens, Georgia, Pamela Ray Gladney (Windy) of Baton Rouge, James William Ray (Susan Metcalfe) of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Susan Ray Meng (Paul) of Natchez; 11 grandchildren, Lowell Emerson Dever IV, Joshua David Oakes, John Wesley Ray IV,  Cayden Cooper Ray, Caroline Gladney Shirley (Robert), Charles Wallace Gladney III (Maggie), Charlotte Gladney Hollingsworth (Todd), James William Ray Jr., Morgan Metcalfe Ray, Clare Frances Meng and Charles Lawrence Meng; two great-grandchildren, Merritt Wesley Shirley and Town Wallace Shirley; one aunt, June Hurley Dagley; one niece and many nephews.
Pallbearers will be Charles Gladney, Jamie Ray, Morgan Ray, Joshua Oakes, John Ray IV, Lowell Dever, Charlie Meng, Windy Gladney, Paul Meng, Todd Hollingsworth and Robert Shirley.
Honorary pallbearers will be Michael Harden, Stevie Roth and Jerry Roth.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to St. Mary Basilica, Cathedral School, the Natchez Stewpot, or the charity of choice.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com.