Debra Ray

Debra Jean Ray, affectionately known as "Short-legged woman," passed away peacefully on February 26, 2025, at the age of 73. Born on February 1, 1952, in Lansing, MI, USA, Debra was a creative and spirited soul who breathed life and love into every corner of her existence. A lifelong resident of Lansing, with brief stints in Perry and Dewitt, Debra was a beacon of warmth and affection in the community. She was a loving and supportive mother, always putting her family at the forefront of her heart. As Robert Brault once said, "In the end, you always go back to the people that were there in the beginning," and Debra's unwavering devotion to her kin embodied this sentiment. Never formally employed, Debra found her life's work in her passions. She was a talented and creative artisan who delighted in crochet, knitting, tatting, and quilting. Her handmade creations were a testament to her artistic skill and her generous spirit. She loved to share these pieces with her loved ones, each stitch infused with her affection and care. Debra was also a skilled gardener, and her canning abilities were renowned. The fruits of her labor were shared joyously with her family and friends. Her love for these hobbies was evident in the meticulous attention to detail she put into each project. As Vincent Van Gogh beautifully professed, "I dream my painting, and then I paint my dream," Debra lived her passions, and then shared them with the world. Debra was preceded in death by her parents, George Layman and Jean Casler. She is survived by her children, Peggy Craft, Bobbie Martinez, and James Ray. Her unique spirit and loving heart will be deeply missed, yet her memory lives on in each stitch, each canned good, each garden bloom, and most importantly, in the hearts of her children. As Helen Keller once said, "What we have once enjoyed deeply we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us." We invite all those who knew and loved Debra to share their memories and photos on her memorial page. She touched many lives, and every shared memory, story, or picture helps us all to remember the beautiful life of Debra Ray. To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Debra's online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.vom Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Christiansen's Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Greenville, 616-754-5638. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Debra Ray, please visit our flower store.