Ray Naomi Jackson

Ray Naomi Jackson, of Billings, passed away on Monday, Aug. 17, 2015, at the Billings Clinic, of natural causes. She was 88 years old.

Ray was born in Scranton, Pa., on June 19, 1927, to Victor and Jeanne Williamson. Ray's mother passed away when she was 7 years old; consequently, she was raised in part by her Aunt Isabelle Miller in California and spent childhood summers on a farm in Indiana. She graduated high school in Scranton and then moved to New York City, where she worked for the Poconos Pines Resorts. In 1952, she moved back to California, where she worked at the Naval Ordinance Test Station in China Lake in the IBM business office.

While at China Lake, a young coworker by the name of Bob Jackson asked her if he could give her a ride home, to which she replied: "I think I would rather walk." Fortunately, Bob was not deterred and they were eventually married on Sept. 5, 1953, in San Bernardino. They soon moved to Missoula, where Bob completed his teaching degree. In 1955, Ray's first daughter was born. Later that year, they moved to Billings, where she lived for the next 60 years. She later had another daughter and one son. Ray and Bob would have celebrated their 62nd year of marriage this September.

Ray started working for the Yellowstone Teachers Credit Union in 1965 and retired as manager in 1989. Over those 24 years, Ray knew many of the teachers and employees of the local school districts. She was an avid reader married to an avid rock hound, so she often figured out a way to do both. She and Bob attended the Shiloh Methodist Church. Ray was born as an eastern girl but flourished in the life as a Montanan.

Ray is predeceased by her younger sister, Marilyn Kemplin. She is survived by her husband, Bob; daughters Ruth and Jean of Billings; her son Lowell (Alise) of Lafayette, Colo.; grandchildren Rob Kinney (Melissa), Rachel Ridle (James), Danyul (Rachael), Jeremy, Victor; great-grandchildren Gabrielle, Katie, Emma, Adrian and Eli.

Memorials can be sent to the charity of your choice.

A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.