Jennifer Joo Ray, daughter of Joshua D. Phillips and O. Virginia Phillips, founders of the Give Us This Day Counseling & Community Service, formerly based in Newberg and Portland, and Women of Purpose International, died Sunday, March 13, 2011 in North Las Vegas, Nev., where she, her husband and children resided. She was 35 years old.
Jennifer was born in Seoul, Korea in July 1975 and adopted by the Phillips’ in 1980 at age 4 ½ years. She attended elementary and middle schools in Newberg. She moved to Portland and attended Grant High School and taught Sunday school at Piedmont Friends Church. She was active in the Give Us This Day ministries in Portland, where she helped with high-risk youth.
She moved to San Antonio, Texas to live with her sister, Cathy Parker, where she met and married Sergeant Charles Ray in 1993. She was a licensed certified pharmacy technician.
Jennifer’s joy was serving her family, extended family and friends. People called her “the gift” because of the love and amazing care she gave to anyone who needed her help.
Survivors include her husband, Charles; two sons by his previous marriage, David and Edward; their two children, Michael and Jasmine; her mother, O. Virginia Phillips; sisters Cathy Y. Parker of Gresham, Linda Phillips-Mitchell of Atlanta, Ga, S. Renee Mitchell-Phillips of Portland, Kimberly Phillips-Lawson of Orlando, Fla., and Veda Brown-Phillips of Columbus, Ga.; brothers Gregory Mitchell-Phillips of Kuwait, Rondahl Mitchell-Phillips of Vancouver, Brian Mitchell-Phillips and Kenneth Mitchell-Phillips of Portland; a host of nieces and nephews; and extended family.
She was preceded in death by her father, Rev. Joshua Phillips, and his daughter and son-in-law, Rev. John and Yvonne Garlington and son, Emery Vereen.
A homegoing celebration was held Monday at Life Change Christian Center, 3635 N. Williams Ave. Interment followed at Willamette National Cemetery.
If you wish to contribute toward Jennifer’s funeral expenses, send your donation payable to Women of Purpose International, in memory of Jennifer Ray.
