Joan E. Ray, age 79, of Winter Springs, Florida passed away peacefully on June 27, 2022.
Joan was born on September 8, 1943 in Camden, New Jersey, the daughter of Marie and Walter
Eckhardt. After graduating from Pierce Business School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and
previously from Collingswood High School in New Jersey, Joan went to work as a secretary at
RCA in Camden, NJ. It was there she met her future husband Roy. Joan and Roy were married
on April 13, 1963 at the Oaklyn Lutheran Church. They lived in Barrington, New Jersey until
1969 when for better employment prospects they moved to the Akron, Ohio area. In 1972 they
decided again to relocate to the Orlando, Florida area. Their first home there was in the
Conway area and in 2000 they moved to Winter Springs, Florida.
In Florida Joan became a licensed real estate sales and rental property manager as well
continuing as a loving wife, mother and homemaker. She enjoyed spending time with friends
and family, her pets (both cats and dogs),traveling, dancing, exercising, listening to music,
working in her yard, and taking care of people who needed her help. Joan never met a stranger.
In 2009 she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. She fought the disease by taking
experiential trial medications and continued with strenuous mental and physical exercises. She
persevered until the Lord called her to his home to rest.
Besides her loving husband, Roy D. Ray, Joan is survived by her sons Roy D. Ray Jr., and Bryon
M. Ray, five grandchildren: Nicole Alexandra ( Korry) Hink, Roy Nicolas Ray, Shane Juston
(Bethaney)Ray, Alexis Lynn Ray, and Lauren Lee Ray as well as numerous nieces and nephews
and their families.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters: Marlene and Norma.