SIKESTON -- Dixie Beauton Ray, 72, of Sikeston died at her residence Thursday, Aug. 17, 1995, following an extended illness.

She was born Dec. 13, 1922, in Vanduser to Lorenzo D. and Flora S. Brendel Helms. She married Herman R. Ray on Sept. 11, 1948. He preceded her in death Jan. 10, 1994. She was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Sikeston.

She formerly worked for Beck and McCord Auction Co. and the Missouri Plant Food Co. Both are in Sikeston.

She is survived by a son, Thomas Ray of Sikeston; four daughters, Armetha Taylor of Sikeston, Tonnie Lambert of Houston, Teresa McGill of Bertrand and Brenda Pinkley of Malden; a sister, Lexie Burke of Sikeston; 13 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. She was proceeded in death by a son, a brother and a sister.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston.

The service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral chapel, with the Rev. Ted Wimberly of Fellowship Baptist Church, officiating. Assisting is the Rev. Kelley Grubbs of the Murray Land Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery in Sikeston.