Isabel Ruth (Frush) Bray

Isabel Ruth Bray, 89, of Richmond, Mo., passed away Monday, Feb. 10, 2014.  She’ll be remembered for her love of family and friends, travel, literature and a 12-pound chocolate cake.

The journey began Dec. 8, 1924 in Carrollton, MO.  Born to Don Wright and Augusta L. (Renner) Frush, Isabel was known for her strong will and love of learning. After graduating from Westport High School in 1942, she attended Dickinson Secretarial School and received an associate of arts from Kansas City’s Junior College in 1945. Over the years, she also received multiple accounting certifications. With her education and dedication, Isabel eventually became office manager for several major companies, including Avsco Plastics. 

On April 30, 1946, she was united in marriage to Aubrey E. Bray.  He preceded her in death in 1983.

Travel was one of Isabel’s passions, and it took her to many European countries, including Ireland, the Netherlands, France, Germany and Spain. She also ventured to Mexico and strolled the Great Wall of China near Beijing. Yet when asked she would say that London was by far her favorite place to visit.

Isabel loved to read and she served as Treasurer for the Ray County Public Library for several years.  She was an avid art enthusiast, particularly for the paintings of Vincent van Gogh. She also was creative in her own right as an amateur camera buff who won awards for some of her photos.

Isabel spent most of her life in the Kansas City area. In addition to living near Richmond for many years, she moved to Liberty after retirement before finally settling at Stockton, MO, to be near her eldest son, Steve.

Isabel will be remembered for many things: her strong will and independent nature, her diligence in business, her unwavering moral and ethical convictions, and her reluctance in culinary pursuits. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, but all would concur, unequivocally, she couldn’t cook.  Her 12-pound chocolate cake has become part of family lore.  Cooking was not her greatest achievement, but her love of family and friends and her exceedingly gracious nature will be treasured and remembered in the hearts of all she touched.

In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by her beloved grandson, Dane Robert Bray.

Isabel is survived by her two sons, Aubrey Stephen Bray, Stockton, MO and Mark Eugene Bray, Fairview, MT.; three grandchildren, Stephanie Bray, Long Beach, CA, Justin Bray, Shawnee,  KS, and Thaine (Bray) Klein, Leonardville, KS; and one great-granddaughter, Ember Aubrey Klein, Leonardville, KS.

Visitation:  11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Thursday, February 13^th at Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Gower, MO. Graveside Service:  3:00 p.m. Thursday at Richmond Memory Gardens, Richmond, MO with Pastor Brian Guy officiating.

Remembrances may be made in the form of flowers or donations to the Ray County Library.