Mary Diane Bray

Mrs. Mary Diane Johnson Bray, 77, of Griffin, passed away Wednesday, Nov.12, 2008, at Odyssey Hospice in Decatur, Georgia. Mrs. Bray taught in Griffin-Spalding Schools for seventeen years, and formerly in the New Castle, Delaware and Delaware County Schools, Pennsylvania. Diane was born in Lynchburg, Virginia on June 13, 1931, to Harold David and Mary Kathryn Eckenroth Johnson. She graduated in 1949 from Pennsburg High School (now Upper Perkiomen Valley H.S.) and in 1952 from Kutztown State Teachers College (now Kutztown University). She married Robert Eugene Bray, a designer-builder of quality homes, in 1955. Diane Bray was active in the American Association of University Women (AAUW), the International Reading Association, the Griffin-Spalding Retired Educators’ Association, and the Georgia Retired Educators’ Association. She was an alumna of both Kutztown University and West Georgia University where she received her Masters’ Degree in Early Childhood degree in 1979. She was selected to Who’s Who in American Education for 1988 – 1989. After retiring from teaching, Diane Bray remained active in the community through volunteer work, her associations and her church. She was an active member of the Walking Club, she volunteered at the Spalding Regional Hospital Auxiliary, and the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry. As a member of St. George’s Episcopal Church she served in the choir, was a chalice bearer, and served as a Lay Reader in the church. Diane and Bob had six children: Nancy (Michael) Bray Goldsmith, Judy (Darrell) Bray Cook, Robert Eugene Bray II, Deenie (Sonny) Bray Brooks, Kelly (Danny) Bray Buice, and Priscilla (Mike) Bray Hammond. Diane’s grandchildren are: David and Katie Goldsmith, Briana Cook, Ben (Chasidy) and Jonathan Brooks, Danielle (Dawson), Kathryn, and Kelly Diane Buice. In addition, Diane was grandmother to over forty foster grandchildren at the Rock Ranch in Georgia and four step-grandchildren, five step-great-grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter is on the way. Her life will be celebrated in a service of remembrance on Saturday, November 15, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Griffin. Visitation will immediately follow the service in the church parlor. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages all friends of Diane Bray to give a memorial gift to Five Loaves and Two Fish Food Pantry, 125 North Tenth Street, Griffin, Georgia 30223 (www.griffinfoodpantry.com) or the charitable organization of their choice.

Mary Diane Bray

June 13, 1931 - November 12, 2008