Nancy Bray

Nancy Bray, 81, of Cape Girardeau, died Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Chateau Girardeau. Daughter of Paul and Mary Lou Bray who preceded her in death, Mary Lou on Nov 18, 2001 and Paul on November 30, 2006. Surviving are her first cousins Ellen Bray Busch and Dr. Jeffrey Bray, she thought of as siblings; other first cousins Kay Bain Jones, David Bain, Mike Bray and numerous second cousins as well as her lifelong friend Anne Lamkin Kinder, Godchild Kara Kinder Vidal, close friends the Chicks and the Scheaters and many, many other friends, former students, work colleagues, her Chateau Girardeau family and her First Presbyterian Church family. She also treasured a special relationship with her uncle Alton Bray on whose 25th birthday she was born. She was a graduate of Cape Central High School Class of 1962, graduate of Southeast Missouri State University with a B.S. in Secondary Education and majors in English and French and a Master's degree in English. She also did post-graduate Journalism work at Mizzou in Columbia and at the School of Communications at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville She taught English at Lindbergh High School 1967-1970 and was also yearbook advisor, taught English and Journalism at SEMO 1970 -1980 and was yearbook advisor, influential in getting approval from Coordinating Board of Higher Education to establish a major in Mass Communications at SEMO Director of Marketing, Public Relations and Communications at Southeast Hospital from 1980 - the end of 2006. Under her leadership the Department won many state and regional awards. She was the founding Member of the Friends of the Cape Girardeau Public Library, longtime member of the Chateau Girardeau Board of Directors and past president, trustee of the Cape Girardeau Public Library, Community Counseling Center Foundation Board and past president, United Way Board of Directors, Education Committee Chair for the Cape Chamber of Commerce and helped establish Outstanding Teacher of the Year Awards, Coordinator of Southeast Hospital Auxiliary's Meals on Wheels and Past president of Southeast Hospital Auxiliary She was a member of Phi Mu Chapter, Tri Delta social sorority and former Area Financial Assistant. Memorial service will be at 10:00 am Saturday, May 23, 2026 at First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau. Private entombment will be at Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given in Nancy's honor to Southeast Missouri State University or First Presbyterian Church. Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com. Ford & Sons Funeral Home - Mt. Auburn is in charge of arrangements.

Tributes

Nancy Bray

October 25, 1944 - April 25, 2026