Emma Frances Ray

Emma Frances Ray, 85, entered Heaven’s Gate on July 2, 2022, at Baptist Health Medical Center in North Little Rock, AR, surrounded by her four children. Born October 21, 1936, in the Ouachita community near Sparkman, she was the daughter of Edna and Ray Sims. Affectionately known as “Nana”, she was a member of First Baptist Church of Sparkman where she served as a pianist for about 40 years as well as a Sunday School teacher, church treasurer, member of the Church Choir, and member of the Choir Chimes Ensemble. Music was a very big part of her life, and she was blessed with a very special gift for playing piano.

Her first job was a telephone operator in Sparkman. Nana also worked as Secretary to the Superintendent of Sparkman Schools for 45 years where she was loved by all the students.

Aside from her parents, Frances was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Virgil Ray; sisters, Vada Cox and Doris Dickey; and son-in-law, Ken Miles. Survivors include her children: Robbie Wilkins (Buddy) of Camden, Michael Ray (Susan) of Franklin, Tennessee; Melissa Gordon of Sparkman, Betsy Miles of Arkadelphia; and son-in-law, Johnny Gordon; seven grandchildren (Jason Freeman, Brandi Wilkins, Rayanne Thomason, Steven Wilkins, Jordan Ray, Rachel Gordon, and Johnathan Miles), and six great-grandchildren (Mya Maxwell, Allie Freeman, Braden Thomason, Garner Ray, Logan Thomason, and Andy Ray) & one bonus great-grandson (Damion Daniel).

Visitation will be Tuesday, July 5, from 6:00-8:00 at Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce. Funeral services will be held at Sparkman First Baptist Church on Wednesday, July 6, at 2:00 pm, with burial to follow at Sparkman Cemetery. Services will be officiated by Brother James Guthrie and Michael Thomason. Memorials may be made to Sparkman First Baptist Church, PO Box 198, Sparkman, AR 71763. Arrangements by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce.

Due to the increase of Covid cases in our community, we respectfully request that masks be worn inside the funeral home and the church.