Ella Lee "Billie" Ay

Ella Lee "Billie" Emerson Beal Dray began her life on September 12, 1916 in Livingston County, Missouri. Billie departed this life on earth and began her life with her Heavenly Father on the 11th day of August, 2010, in Jefferson City, Missouri. Ella was the daughter of Thomas and Lee Cox Emerson, who predeceased her. She was married to Leo Beal in 1936 and married to Warren W. Dray in 1969, both predeceased her. Her half-brother Archie Cox also predeceased her. Ella attended Chillicothe High School and earned her degree in teaching at what is now Truman State University. She spent her adult life as a school teacher in the Livingston County area, serving the Avalon, Utica, Southwest and Chillicothe school districts, for 35 years until her retirement in 1975. She enjoyed being active in her church, playing golf, fishing, quilting, crocheting and playing cards. She also enjoyed traveling very much and was always ready to "go for a ride". Ella is survived by one son, Roy Beal (Jackie) of Jefferson City, Mo., two grandchildren, Lori Beal Murphy ( John),Wantagh, NY and Arnold "Chip" Beal (Angela) of Lebanon, TN. She is also survived by two step-sons, Robert Dray (Anne) of Holiday Island, AR and Dr. James Dray (Eileen) of Lawrence, KS. Surviving step-grandchildren are: Jennifer Dray Miller ( Dennis), Cedar Point, IA, Kimberly Dray, Schererville, IN, Melissa Dray, Nashville, TN and Amanda Dray, Lawrence, KS, Julia Backues ( Andrew), Dr. Spencer Kemmer ( Maria) and Kimberly Closser ( Tim), all of Jefferson City, MO. She enjoyed a host of great grandchildren - 15 in number. She will also be missed by her favorite pet daschund, Gizmo. Services will be held at the Linneus United Methodist Church, Linneus, Missouri on Saturday, August 14, 2010 at 10:30 A.M. There will be a scheduled family visitation on Friday, August 13, 2010 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Lindley Funeral Home Chillicothe, Missouri. Friends may call on Friday August 13, 2010 from 12 noon until 9:00 P.M. at the Lindley Funeral Home Chillicothe, Missouri and on Saturday from 9:00 A.M. until service time at the Linneus United Methodist Church. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Linneus United Methodist Church and/or the Linneus City Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to the Lindley Funeral Home P.O. Box 47 Chillicothe, Missouri 64601. Online condolences may be left at www.lindleyfuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Funeral Home Chillicothe, Missouri.