Obituary of Mary Rayson

Mary was born December 16, 1913 in Danville, Virginia. The only child of Clarence and Eva Dodson. She grew up in Danville; attended public school in Danville, and accepted Christ at the White Rock Baptist Church in Danville. She moved to Washington, D.C. in the mid thirties. While there she worked for the U.S. Printing Dept. during World War II. Mary moved to Brooklyn, New York where she lived until 1963. She then moved to California. Mary married John Rayson in Anchorage, Alaska in the mid sixties. They moved from Palm Springs, California to Banning in 1965. Mary retired in the mid 70's from Desert Memorial Hospital in Palm Springs, CA, as a nursing assistant. Mary was a very kind person, and always had a smile on her face. She loved to travel, she would always tell her family and friends "if you can travel you should". She never complained about anything. She would always say "I have lived a good life". Mary passed away in her Banning home, with her family by her side on May 16, 2010. Mary leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of 45 years, John Rayson of Banning, CA; son, James Keene (Rosemarie) of Huntington, NY; grandson, Mark Keene (Yvette) of Studio City, CA; cousin, Angela Ware (Rufus) of Banning, CA, and a host of relatives and friends, in both Virginia and California. She was preceded in death by her parents, Eva and Clarence Dodson and uncle, Joe Keene from Brooklyn, New York. To those who have shown us love, brought us joy, and made us laugh have given us the lasting gifts of a beautiful life - and blessed our memories forever. Viewing will be held at Wiefels & Son Memorial Chapel, 50 E. Nicolet St., Banning, CA on May 23, 2010 from 4-8p.m. Funeral Services at First Missionary Baptist Church, 332 N. Allen St, Banning, CA 92220, on Monday, May 24, 2010 at 10:00 a.m., with burial at Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, CA.