Celestia Bishop Ray

Celestia??Bishop Ray went to her heavenly home on October 30, 2019 after a brief illness.??She is??now??with her Lord and Savior??and??able to see, hear,??and walk??again.????She was 101.?? Celestia??was born in Durham, N.C. on April 30, 1918. She resided in Durham her entire life with the last 11 years being with her daughter. She was deeply committed??to her??family,??friends,??faith,??home, and pets. During her later years,??Celestia??developed a keen interest ineenealogy which she shared with her children. Many hours were spent discussing her heritage and taking road trips to explore cemeteries??and??the??streets of Durham.??Vacations with family to the beach, mountains, and other destinations??were??an important yearly event.??She held a special place ineer heart for her two grandsons.??She appreciated beauty created by God and man which she instilled ineer children. This was reflected ineer home and garden.??Gardening and love of flowers were??a highlight of her life.????She earned several awards for her flower arrangements.??With her husband by her side, she spent much of her free time working in??their??yard.??Celestia??described her yard as a cathedral because of its tall trees, wildflowers, and wildlife.?? It was here that she found her peace.??Ineer own words, ???I have enjoyed life and who I am???????in time with my family finding this out.??I loved my dogs I???ve had???????and,??throughout my marriage I shared with Joffre, great joy.????? Celestia??graduated from Durham High School and attended the Croft Business and Secretarial School.?? She was first employed by Southern Fire Insurance Company. Most of her life was spent??as a very active homemaker and providing the best for her children. Later, she worked until retirement at the Registrar???s??Office at?? UNC-CH.??Celestia??was??a??member??of??Temple Baptist Church,?? Four Seasons??Garden??Club,?? General Davie Chapter of the DAR, and Order of the Kings Daughters and Sons.???? Celestia??was predeceased by her husband of 69 years, Joffre Wesley Ray; parents, Nathan Marvin Bishop and Anee Jane Whitaker; and her seven brothers, Hervey, Joseph, Marvin, Jr, Carl, Charles,??Lewis, and Hugh.?? Survivors are children Patricia Anne R.??Predmore??and husband Richard L.??Predmore, Jr. of Campobello, SC; Joffre Wesley Ray, Jr. and wife Janeegger Ray of Durham; and Gwen Ellen Ray of Durham; two grandsons, Patrick Timothy??Predmore??and wife Ashley of Spartanburg, SC,??and Stephen Aneew??Predmore, wife Erin??and three great??grandchildren, Amelia,??Walton,??and Miles??of Bloomington, IN.??Celestia??is also survived by her last cocker companion, Billy J. Ray.???? A celebration of life service will??be??held at 2 pm, Thursday, neember 7, 2019 at Duke Memorial Uneed Methodist Church in downtown Durham. A reception will be held in the church parlor following the service.??A private burial service for the family members will be held??in the old Maplewood Cemetery at 1 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to??Temple Baptist Church??of Durham??and Duke Memorial Uneed Methodist Church.??