Carrie Bray

Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

Carrie Bray, 39, died peacefully in the loving arms of her husband, James on February 7. She was surrounded by her dear family, friends, and her three children who meant the world to her - Lucianna Grace (11), Norah Laurice (9), and James Boaz “Bo” (2).

Carrie’s early death was due to Lymphoma, and although the loss is indescribable and painful to her family and friends, there is no doubt that God planned each detail carefully as part of His sovereign plan. We rejoice in knowing that Carrie, absent from her body, was taken instantly to be in the presence of her Savior.

Carrie enjoyed life! She was generous and loving, kind and selfless. Her smile was amazing and she "gave the best hugs." Carrie was loved by many and advised her daughters to have many women friends, because “more women, means more wisdom". She loved showing hospitality, opening her home and preparing meals to share with neighbors and friends. She had a heart for mentoring women and was a leader with Bible Study Fellowship prior to home schooling her children. She was a gifted teacher. Carrie loved sharing the message of God's gift of forgiveness and salvation through his son Jesus Christ.

Carrie was musical from the time she was young and there was always a record playing in her room as a child. She continued on to study piano, flute, guitar, and keyboard as well as to compose music for flute and piano. On completing high school, she went on to earn a degree in music therapy. But oh, how she loved to sing! Her voice was lovely, and she was always singing to her children and at family gatherings. Her family loved all her renditions, as Carrie knew so many popular songs that have spanned the decades. She sang most beautifully, though, when she worshiped her Lord. She loved to worship in song at church, at home, while driving, or anywhere she could lift high the mighty name of Jesus.

Carrie was born to Curtis E. and Deborah Miles in St. Joseph on July 10, 1978. She attended Western Michigan University where she met James. They were married and lived in Kalamazoo where Carrie worked at Bronson Hospital, starting the Music Therapy department there, which is still active today. When James and Carrie had children, she turned her focus to raising her family and became a full-time homemaker. The years have been full of fun, adventure, and full schedules - swimming, skiing, dance, music, Spanish, library, home school performing arts, and so much more. Carrie and her family loved vacationing on Sanibel Island, Florida.

Carrie and her family were active church members, attending Kalamazoo Community Church, and most recently as members of Reformed Baptist Church in Kalamazoo.

In addition to her loving husband, children, and parents, Carrie is survived by her brothers David (Carrie) Miles of Kalamazoo, MI, and Stephen (Jennifer) Miles of Granger, IN. She will be dearly missed by her in-laws James & Laurice Bray of Farmington Hills, MI, sister-in-law Kimberly (Jay) Morse, of Lake Ann, MI, and brother-in-law Christopher Bray of Camarillo, CA. In addition, she leaves behind many treasured nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, extended family members, and friends.

Carrie’s husband James and his family would like to thank so many for their unending generosity. This includes the medical community, their neighbors, CrossFit AZO, the homeschool community, numerous churches in the area, and the faithful believers who prayed throughout Carrie's illness. All the practical help and prayer have sustained, strengthened, and comforted the family. For this, we will be eternally grateful.

Please join us at Calvary Bible Church, 855 S. Drake Rd. Kalamazoo, MI for a visitation with the family on Friday, February 16 from 5-8pm and Saturday February 17 at 11am for a memorial service with a luncheon to follow. www.calvarybible.org

Donations can be made to Fifth Third Bank for the children’s education fund – Bray Children Education or online at https://www.youcaring.com/jimbrayandchildren-910493, and HeartCry Missionary Society at www.heartcrymissionary.com.