Ella Lee Dray

Ella Lee "Billie" Emerson Beal Dray, 93, of Jefferson City, died Wednesday, August 11, 2010, in Jefferson City. She was born September 12, 1916, in Livingston County, the daughter of Thomas and Lee Cox Emerson, who predeceased her. She was married to Leo Beal in 1936 and married to Warren W. Dray in 1969, both predeceased her. Her half-brother Archie Cox also predeceased her. Ella attended Chillicothe High School and earned her degree in teaching at what is now Truman State University. She spent her adult life as a school teacher in the Livingston County area, serving the Avalon, Utica, Southwest and Chillicothe school districts, for 35 years until her retirement in 1975. She enjoyed being active in her church, playing golf, fishing, quilting, crocheting and playing cards. She also enjoyed traveling very much and was always ready to "go for a ride". Ella is survived by: one son, Roy Beal (Jackie) of Jefferson City; two grandchildren, Lori Beal Murphy (John) of Wantagh, N.Y. and Arnold "Chip" Beal (Angela) of Lebanon, Tenn; two step-sons, Robert Dray (Anne) of Holiday Island, Ark. and Dr. James Dray (Eileen) of Lawrence, Kan.; and seven step-grandchildren, Jennifer Dray Miller (Dennis) of Cedar Point, Iowa, Kimberly Dray of Schererville, Ind., Melissa Dray of Nashville, Tenn., Amanda Dray of Lawrence, Kan., Julia Backues (Andrew), Dr. Spencer Kemmer (Maria) and Kimberly Closser (Tim), all of Jefferson City; and 15 great-grandchildren. She will also be missed by her favorite pet, Dachshund Gizmo. Services will be held at the Linneus United Methodist Church, Linneus, on Saturday, August 14, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. There will be a scheduled family visitation on Friday, August 13, 2010, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe. Friends may call on Friday August 13, 2010, from 12 noon until 9:00 p.m. at the Lindley Funeral Home Chillicothe and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until service time at the Linneus United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Linneus United Methodist Church and/or the Linneus Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to the Lindley Funeral Home P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, MO 64601. Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe.