Gladys M. Ray, born in Palacios, Texas on October 3, 1941, to Samuel Robert Simpson, Sr., and Lucy Mae. 1 of 5 children, Freddy Lee, passed a few days after birth; Samuel Robert, Jr., deceased; Charles Richard, deceased; Kenneth Simpson, lives in Wharton, Texas; Susan Anne, deceased; and Gladys Mae.

Gladys received her diploma from Palacios High School on May 13, 1960. She married Billy Ray, also from Palacios, on June 18, 1960. They lived in Palacios until 1964, and then moved to Lake Jackson, Texas. They had a son, Terry Lee, born December 19, 1962; he passed away on January 21, 2016. Gladys went to Brazosport Beauty College, when finished went to work for Sheena Beauty Shop. She then got her instructors license and went to work for Brazosport Beauty College. Gladys later got her teaching license from Southwest College in San Marcos, Texas on August 1, 1989. She went to work at Angleton High School teaching cosmetology for 1½ years until they closed the cosmetology program.  She then opened her own beauty shops-one in Lake Jackson and one in Palacios. She later closed both shops due to health.

Gladys is survived by her husband, Billy Ray; one granddaughter, Katherine Michelle Ray Peterson (Craig Peterson, Jr.); two step-grandsons, Robert Brandon Sipple, and Tyson Lloyd Sipple (Sara Matula); and five great-step-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends and relatives for visitation 10:00am Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at First Baptist Church in Sweeny, Texas. Funeral Services will begin at 11:00am. Interment will follow at Ashby Cemetery. Pallbearers are Robert Brandon Sipple, Tyson Lloyd Sipple, Geren Wayne Rusk, Joe McDougald, Randy Smith and Wesley Sewell.