Music minister Margaret Annette “Ann” Tomberlin Ray of Decatur died July 11. She was 90.
Her late husband, Joe Douglas Ray, led Southside Baptist Church in Decatur where she was involved in music ministry for nearly 40 years. A longtime elementary music teacher in Decatur, Ray presided at the annual Alabama Music Educators Association state convention after being elected as elementary division president of the association.
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A graduate of Geneva High School and Judson College, where she and her husband both served as longtime trustees and faithful recruiters. Both served on Judson’s trustee subcommittee for the granting of honorary degrees. She was listed among one of the “175 Faces of Judson College” during the school’s 175th anniversary.
Ray served on staff of First Baptist Church Williston, Florida, and as music associate and pianist for FBC Sylacauga. She was instrumental in raising funds for a new organ when her husband was serving at Eastern Valley Baptist Church in Bessemer. Ray was pianist for Mignon Baptist Church in Sylacauga and, briefly in retirement, minister of music at Macedonia (now South Chapel Hill) Baptist in Decatur. At Southside Baptist Church in Decatur, Ray was a Sunday School teacher and church pianist for over two decades; oversaw the purchase of hand bells; served on numerous committees; and helped launch a graded children’s choir ministry.
She is survived by two sons: Mark Douglas Ray and Charles Tomberlin “Tommy” Ray, both of Decatur. Memorials may be made to the music ministry of Southside Baptist Church, 709 9th St. SE, Decatur, AL 35601; or the Decatur City Schools Foundation, P.O. Box 1224, Decatur, AL 35602.
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