Helen Ray

September 21, 1904 - January 9, 2012

Helen Theresa (Kupferer) Ray, 107, of Vandalia, died at 9:40 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, at Fayette County Hospital in Vandalia, in the loving arms of her daughter, Carole. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday at First United Methodist Church in Vandalia, with Dr. Roger Grimmett officiating. Burial will be in South Hill Cemetery in Vandalia. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until time of services on Friday at the church. Hohlt and File Funeral Home in Vandalia was in charge of arrangements. Memorials: First United Methodist Church in Vandalia, Fayette County Health Department Visiting Nurses or donor's choice. Mrs. Ray was born on Sept. 21, 1904, in St. Louis, Mo., the daughter of Ann Gibbons and Charles A. Kupferer. She married Leland A. Ray on July 10, 1931; he died on Dec. 17, 1995. She was a homemaker, the oldest citizen of Fayette County and the oldest member of First United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Saddle and Bridle Club of Vandalia in the 1940s. She is survived by a daughter, Carole (Ray) White of Vandalia; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; 17 great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and her constant companions, "Callie" and "Sam." She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and a daughter, Donna Ray Fessler.