Emerald Wray went to meet his Savior on May 31, 2013, in Springfield, Missouri. He was born in Newcastle, Texas, to Hugh and Hilda Wray. He confessed Christ as his personal savior at an early age.
Emerald was preceded in death by his wife of 64-years, Dorothy Louise Wray, his father, Hugh, his mother, Hilda, older brothers: Elywyn, R.J., Kenneth, and his sister, Wanda Wray-Wilcox.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, J.T. and Helen Wray, his son and daughter-in law, Floyd and Nancy Wray; grandson Ryan Wray and wife Daniela, grandson Casey Wray and his wife Lindsay, and grandson Collin Wray and his wife Beth. At the time of his death, Emerald had three great-grandchildren: Parker, Taylor and Coen.
Emerald graduated from Central Bible Institute in 1947, completing work on his Bachelor’s degree at Bethany Peniel College in 1948. He proceeded to post-graduate work at Texas Christian University, then received a Master’s in Counseling and Guidance from Southwest Missouri State University in 1970. Emerald pastored three churches in Texas: Sweetwater (1952-1955), Forth Worth (1956-1967), and Austin (1973-2005). He served as interim campus pastor at Evangel College in 1971.
Emerald was an accomplished pianist.
Visitation will be held at 9:00 a.m., Monday, May 31, 2013, followed by a funeral service at 10:00 a.m., in Maranatha Village Chapel, 233 East Norton Road, Springfield, Missouri. Interment will be at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, family requests memorials be made to Ozarks Community Hospital, or Footsteps – Good Samaritan’s Boys Ranch.