Betty Jane Ray, age 91 formerly of Mecosta, passed away on her birthday, Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at Camelot Hall in Livonia. Betty was the oldest of eleven children born to William and Gertrude (Oberlin) Skinner. On October 16, 1943 she married Barney T. Ray in Leslie. Betty lived the majority of her life in Jackson until moving to Lackies Birch Haven in 1974. In 2008 she left her home to be closer to her grand-daughter Bethany. She made her home at Camelot Nursing Facility in 2010, where she made several friends and loved to people watch. Dementia, Alzheimers and strokes depleted Betty but she never lost her spunk. Betty enjoyed wintering in Texas until her health began to decline in 2007. She owned and operated her own beauty salon and always liked having her hair just right. She liked watching the birds and visiting with neighbors and friends. Despite some differences Betty loved her family. She loved her grandchildren and longed for a close family connection. According to her granddaughter, Betty made the best fried perch in the world. She was good for long talks about life and love and family. Conversation came easy to Betty and if she could talk to you and do your hair at the same time she was in heaven. She was a feisty woman who would tell you exactly what she was thinking. While some found that abrasive, other found it charming. She loved her family and she loved Jesus. She came into this world on her birthday and left on it as well. The best gift she could have gotten was to be with the Lord and Barney (Hap) on her birthday. She will be missed dearly by those who loved her. Betty is survived by one son Kenneth (Diane) Ray of Kalamazoo; three grandchildren, Bethany Poston, Laura Cook and Amy Halt; two great-grandchildren, Sarah and Liam; her stepson Michael (Shirley) Weiglein and grandson Chad Weiglein; as well as her step daughter, Linda Prance and many extended family. Betty was preceded in death by her beloved husband Barney in 1997; a grand-daughter, Rachel Ray; ten siblings and her parents. A graveside funeral will take place to celebrate Bettys life at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, October 12, 2018 at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Mecosta. Funeral arrangements and care have been entrusted to the Daggett Funeral Home in Barryton. Condolences can be left online by clicking the sign guestbook tab. Graveside Service Friday, October 12, 2018 1:00 PM Mt. Hope Cemetery Mecosta,Michigan 49332