Jo Ellen “Jodi” Ray, age 71, passed away on Wednesday, January 11, 2016. Funeral services will be held at 10 AM on Friday, January 13, 2017 at Carey Baptist Church with Pastor Randy Wilson officiating. Committal services will follow in the Joe E. Jones Memorial Chapel in Childress Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Jodi was born on July 20, 1945 in Boswell, Oklahoma to Leonard C. and Wretha Faye (Underwood) Throne. She married Elvis Lee Thomas on November 29, 1962 in Wellington. Jodi was a hard worker and taught her children the value and meaning of hard work, often working two or three jobs to provide for her five children. She cooked for the hospital and many local restaurants, worked in the nursing home, and was a private sitter. She loved to sit and visit, talking on the phone, sharing stories of life and laughter with friends and family. Jodi also loved gardening, cooking and was a member of Carey Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Elvis Thomas on October 28, 1969, one brother Clifford Throne, and one sister Lavonna Faye Bell. She is survived by 3 daughters: Lisa Trosper and husband, Keith of Childress, Kelly Foster and Husband Mat of Childress, Mehgan Matthews of Childress 2 sons: Jeff Thomas and wife, Janie of Wellington, Brian Coyle; Sister Nadine Bell of Soper, OK; Brother David Throne of Childress; 13 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and numerous extended family and friends.