Jean Ray IsleyFort Myers - Jean Ray Isley, 89, of Fort Myers, died peacefully on July 14, 2016. She was born on April 23, 1927, in Marion, North Carolina, to Carrie Davis Ray and Avon Ray.Jean graduated with honors from Mars Hill High School in 1944 and was co-editor of the student newspaper, senior class secretary, All-Tournament 1st Team Basketball player and Valedictorian of her class. She earned an associate's degree from Mars Hill College in 1945 and her nursing degree from North Carolina Baptist Hospital School of Nursing (Wake Forest School of Medicine) in Winston Salem in 1948 where she met her first husband, Dr. Joseph Keener Isley, Jr. Together they had five children.Jean had a passion for playing tennis and was a member of the U.S. Ladies Tennis Association from 1960-1982. In 1978-79, she ranked in #5 in the State of North Carolina for 45+ singles. In 1991, she won State Champion Singles 55+ for South Carolina.Jean was preceded in death by her daughter, Bonnie Lynn; her siblings, Charles Ray, Avon O. Ray Jr., Ethel Ray Cox; and her second husband, Gene Brupbacher.She is survived by her sons, Joseph Keener Isley, III (Marcia), Robert David Isley (Juanita), Christopher Alan Isley (Melinda), all of Fort Myers and Jonathan Kaley-Isley (Lisa), London, England; sisters, Catherine Fleming (Robert),Yadkinville, NC and Jane Marett, Brighton, MI; brother, Retired Col. Robert Ray (Betsy), Niceville, FL; five grandchildren; five great-grand children; and numerous nieces and nephews.Following a private internment service, the family will receive friends at a reception at 12 noon on Saturday, November 5 at the Bentley Fellowship Hall, Mars Hill University, 100 Athletic Street, Mars Hill, NC.
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