In Loving Memory

EULOGY

Joanne Louise Wray, 58, a life-long resident of Modesto, CA passed into eternal rest on June 9, 2014. She was born in Modesto, CA on March 19, 1956 to Lowell and Cora June Eller. Joanne graduated from Davis High School in 1974. She married Greg Wray of North Manchester, IN on December 28, 1973. In 1979, they started their own small business, Motor Motion Auto Repair , in Modesto, CA where they worked side by side for 35 years. She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Greg Wray; their three children Jolene Corkwell and her husband Patrick, Dana Gish and her husband Jonathan, Caleb Wray and his wife; and three grandchildren Judah Corkwell, Carter Gish, and Dawson Wray; her mother, Cora June Eller; siblings, Tom Eller and his wife Betty, June Gish and her husband Darrell, Jane Peters and her husband Doug, Ben Eller and his wife Debbie; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. She is preceded in death by her father, Lowell Eller and mother-in-law, Darlene Wray.

Joanne Wray was a kind, determined, and loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, and sister in Christ. Her warmth and smile were infectious. She loved to laugh, was adventurous, and she had a great sense of humor. She worked alongside Greg for many years building a business, where her principles and work ethic were well known and valued. Her children and grandchildren were always a main source of delight for her and always on her mind and in her heart; she maintained supportive and loving relationships with all of them. What a gift that she could anticipate, love on, and cherish two baby grandsons born in the last few months before her time on this earth drew to a close.

One of the things that meant the very most to her was encouraging others by sharing with them the faith she had in Christ. She and Greg interacted with many people over the years, giving of themselves to invest time and energy in seeing people receive information, prayer, teaching, and support as needed to improve and increase their walks with the Lord. Because of her deep and solid faith in her heavenly Father, the grim news she received in October of her illness was received with characteristic optimism and hope, as she said, “Whatever the Lord wants, I am ready, whether it is to go on to heaven or remain here on earth. I am His.” Before long, the reality of her family’s concern and justifiable desire for her to fight the disease and stay with them on earth, along with her own strong love and wish to continue to be a part of working toward their wellbeing, led to her and the whole family’s 100% commitment to whatever treatment program she entered. Many loving friends also joined in the fight through prayer, encouragement, aid, and support of many types. This huge outpouring of love shown to her blessed and humbled not only Joanne in her last months on earth, but was a strong witness to the enduring and abiding love of God through His people to those with whom Joanne came in contact.

Along with the treatments received, Joanne focused on the Lord, sharing insights and inspirations from her communication with Father to her many friends, family members, fellow patients, nurses and doctors. She also listened every morning to favorite hymns and spiritual songs, being encouraged in the presence of the Lord through worship. Prayer and being devoted to seeing the Lord in every aspect of life became increasingly meaningful to her as the months continued and the pain increased. Joanne was able to find simple pleasures that made the twinkle in her eyes remain, like sunsets, flowers, sunbaths, bike rides, and reading. When she learned her post-surgery condition would no longer allow her to ride roller coasters, she spent a day riding them to her heart’s content. However, her main source of pleasure remained the connection she enjoyed with people because of the life and presence of Christ that flowed in her and through her. At times she would stew over the weight loss caused by the cancer-fighting diet. That is not something most women would choose to worry about! However, to Joanne it seemed that she was losing what she had always so greatly valued and appreciated, the big warm hugs she could give as a caring maternal-type. Yes, she mothered and comforted many, many people with her compassionate hugs, spiritual wisdom, and loving heart. In time the severe pain resulting from the medical procedures forced her life to shrink to a state of merely coping with what was at hand, but always, always she maintained a hope that she could get back to “normal” and once again be generously giving to others of the sweet spirit within her. At one point she wrote, “I don’t make plans any more, I make hopes! When I’m in pain and weak as you have seen me, it seems more like boot camp and war. Thanks for encouragement and the reminder it IS an adventure in Christ!” As you know, she was beginning the recovery and improvement shortly before she was called Home, and this was a joy for us. Just two days before she passed on, she wrote these words to a friend: “Had a good night last night, the first in a few weeks. Feels like I may someday be somewhat normal for the first time. This IS a marathon! . . . I’m sooooo convinced that all the months of therapy are what are helping me get through this so amazingly according to all doctors, physical therapist, and nurses that come visit. No regrets at all and am so blessed.”

Though there were many, many tough decisions to be made over the months of Joanne’s treatment, she faced them gracefully, humbly, and bravely because of her trust in her Lord’s guidance, watch-care, and provision. She knew that none of us have one thing that the Lord did not give us, and so she could rest in His great love and in His will. “It’s all His deal,” she would often say. All of us who were invested in the hope that she would beat this disease and bless us with her presence for years to come must likewise look to Jesus–the giver of life and all things great and wonderful–and be confident that He never makes mistakes, He never looks away and misses anything, He is in control even when everything seems out of control, and He is the one who ordains our length of stay on this earth. It is He who called Joanne Home, and what a beautiful and remarkable homecoming awaited her, just as it awaits all of His children. It is important to remember Jesus’ words to Martha in John 11 that apply to all believers in Christ: “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” Joanne is more alive today than she was in her life on earth, and we have a glorious reunion awaiting us with Joanne and all of the many chosen and called servants of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We can rejoice with Joanne that she glorified the Lord on earth and now even more so in heaven can love and serve Him in joy we have never known on earth.

2 Tim. 2:10-12, “For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.
11 It is a trustworthy statement:
For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;
12 If we endure, we will also reign with Him.”

Rev. 14:13, Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “. . . Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”