Wanda Sue Reaves Ray

Wanda Sue Reaves Ray (Susie) was born in Tift County, GA on April 6, 1948 and departed this earthly journey on January 16, 2024. She is survived by her husband, John E. Ray, Jr. of Roswell, GA, her daughters Katie Ray Diaz (Mark Diaz) and Jennifer Ray Walter (Nick Walter), stepdaughter Debra Ray Horton (David Horton), and stepson David Ray (Rhonda Ray). One of six children, Susie is survived by her brother Eddie Reaves and sisters Peggy Steed, Cherry Wiley, and Rebecca Hollis. Susie was preceded in death by her mother Lois Reaves Simmons, stepfather Deward Simmons, and sister Nancy Reaves Hammett. Susie truly loved her 9 grandchildren including John Carter Burrell, Charlie Taylor Burrell, James Thomas Burrell, Lily Ann Walter, Alyssa Horton Metz, Brandon Horton, Chelsea Horton Habbick, Elijah Ray, Annaleigh Ray, and 2 great grandchildren. Susie is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends who loved her dearly. Susie spent her childhood years in Weaver, AL where she graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1966. She went on to attend Jacksonville State University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham where she earned a B.S. in Nursing in 1976. Susie was a devoted wife, mother, nurse, and friend. Knowing Susie was to know her greatest loves in life! As a nurse, Susie loved her patients almost as much as she loved her family. She cared for people in some of their most vulnerable moments across the southeast in MS, AL, and GA and from the Intensive Care Unit to the pediatrician’s office. She found her life’s purpose in providing the best medical care for each and every patient she served. She also used her medical expertise to spread her love to many other families by caring for their children in her home, nursing families and friends through times of illness and injury, and providing a loving shoulder to lean on in times of hardship. If anyone needed medical advice, emergency care, or a listening ear, Susie was always willing and able to serve. An avid gardener, Susie had a brilliant “green thumb” and delighted in nurturing plants and flowers. She enjoyed babying her beautiful orchids, growing all varieties of flowers, and tending produce gardens. Her instincts in caring for plants was admired by many. More than anything, Susie loved her family! Deeply devoted to her mother, stepfather, sisters and brother, Susie enjoyed every opportunity to spend time with each of them and was always so proud of their accomplishments. She also loved her nieces and nephews like her own children and delighted in watching them grow and raise families of their own. Most deeply, Susie loved her “girls”, her stepchildren, her sons and daughter-in-law, her grandchildren, her great grandchildren, and most of all her loving husband, John. Susie’s devotion to “her people” was unparalleled and they are forever grateful for her nurture and love. The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Waterstone on Augusta, The Oaks at Chanticleer, Hospice of the Upstate, and the Rainey Hospice House for their loving care and compassion for Susie during her last few years. We are forever grateful to all of the administrators, care givers, and staff who worked tirelessly to care for Susie and her family. A small service for immediate family will be held on February 3rd, 2024. A larger Celebration of Susie’s Life will take place in July 2024, details forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation in Susie’s name to the Rainey Hospice House or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Wanda Sue Reaves Ray

April 6, 1948 - January 16, 2024