Juanita C. Ray of Du Quoin

Juanita C. Ray, 96, of Du Quoin, passed away at 2:05 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022 at the Marshall Browning Hospital in Du Quoin.

She worked for 30 years as the administrator for the Illinois Department of Public Aid in the Perry County office. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Du Quoin and sang for many years in the church choir. She was also a member of the Du Quoin Garden Club.

Juanita was born June 3, 1925 at Du Quoin, Illinois, the daughter of Henry N. and Juanita A. (Hemmerle) Thill.

Juanita married Wallace D. Hunt on Nov. 16, 1946 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Du Quoin and he preceded her in death on Oct. 8, 1984. She then married Arthur Ray on June 9, 1990 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Du Quoin and he preceded her in death on Dec. 11, 2014.

She is survived by a daughter, Jean Joyner of Marion, Illinois; a son, Wallace P. (Mary Jane) Hunt of Calvert City, Kentucky; five grandchildren, Paula Lynne Hunt of St. Louis, Theresa Marie Hunt of St. Louis, Amy Williams of St. Louis, Paul Joyner of Marion and Nick Joyner of Marion; six great-grandchildren, Kate Hunt of St. Louis, Evan Hunt of New York City, Audrey Williams of St. Louis, Hailee Joyner of Columbia, Missouri, Sophia Joyner of Marion and Olivia Joyner of Marion; and two sisters, Harriett West of Du Quoin and Patricia Wolfe of Bartlett, Illinois.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two husbands.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Du Quoin with Fr. Carl Schrage officiating.

Friends may call from 9:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the church. Burial will follow at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Du Quoin.

Friends are invited to make memorials to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, which will be accepted at Searby Funeral Home of Du Quoin, who is in charge of arrangements.

For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.