by Family of Erin Bray
It is with great sorrow and sadness that on November 12, 2011, at 7:24 a.m. our family lost a daughter, sister, cousin, auntie, niece, teacher, and most of all, friend.
Erin Alyson Bray was born in Coalinga, California to Jack and Marilyn Bray on July 14, 1975. After the family moved to Reedley, California, Erin attended Washington Elementary, Grant Middle School, Reedley High School, Kings River Community College (now Reedley College) and finally Fresno State University where Erin earned her BA in Communications and her teaching credential.
Those who knew her well remember her love and passion for the stage, performing, singing and managing in many performances throughout the years. As a student, and later an English teacher at Reedley High School, Erin had a tremendous talent of speech communication that she used to compete with and guide students in speech/forensic tournaments that earned her many awards throughout the state of California.
Erin’s infectious smile and comedic sense of humor will undeniably be the staple characteristics that best define the essence of Erin Bray. She had the ability to light up a room with just her sheer presence. One couldn’t help but smile at the sound of her laughter and be drawn into her bubbly and warm personality.
Erin was a thrill seeker and traveler at heart. Her dream had been to travel the world and that dream was realized this past fall when she traveled to France and Italy, the two places she had always wanted to visit.
Among the many roles Erin served in the community, the role that she took the greatest pride in was being crowned Miss Reedley in 1993. She handled the responsibilities with great poise and the time spent serving the Reedley community proved to be one of the most memorable and cherished moments of her life.
Erin is survived by her mother, Marilyn Carlson, her father, Jack Bray, and her two brothers, Todd Bray and Jon Bray. Services will be held in her honor on November 17, 2011 at Reedley High School in front of the Performing Arts Theater from 3:30 to 4 p.m. Those attending please park in the student parking lot (East Side).
Donations in her memory may be made to The Erin Bray Memorial Scholarship Fund to benefit Reedley High School students in drama, forensics, and communications:
RHS Student Finance Dept.
Erin Bray Memorial Scholarship Fund
675 W. Manning Ave.
Reedley, CA 93654
Watch for a special article on Erin within the next couple of weeks written by some of her former students. Please feel free to share you comments and memories about Erin here at KRL.
I will remember Erin for her beautiful smile, great laugh, and her loving and giving nature. Please read my blog dealing with my double loss to suicide. God bless her and her family.
I am so sad for all of her friends and family. 🙁
Though I had only known Erin for a short time, I enjoyed the times we did meet and the conversations I had with her. I am terribly saddened that such a beautiful and talented person will no longer be here to share her wonderful gifts. My heart goes out to her family.
Erin’s family extends our sincere thanks for the memorable service and tribute held at Reedley High School. We so appreciated all who were able to attend and those who participated in the service. Thank you and God Bless.
Dear Jack,
I would like you to know that you were blessed with a wonderful daughter. She touched alot of lives at Reedley high, most importantly mine. She taught me way more then a stupid text book could ever teach me. She made Reedley my home after I moved here my sophmore year, because of her I felt like I was meant to be here. She was like my older sister, the person who was the light to my dark days. I would have loved to meet you all, I heard lots of things. I would just like you all to know that all the students at Reedley High will forever carry on with the wonderful memories she gave us. May you all remain in my prayers. Erin Bray Is Gone, but NEVER forgotten.. Forever in my heart.
With love,
Erica McCoy
Senior at Reedley High
Erin had a very positive impact on my grandson’s life. She will forever be his all time favorite teacher. Her influnce has helped to shape him into the wonderful adult he is becoming. I will always be grateful to her for caring so much about her students.
This should not be the way of life for a parent to outlive the children. When I read about Erin my own sweet daughter came to mind. She is Erins’ age and lives in Houston. To give of yourself all your life is most commendable and the way the Lord believes we should be towards one another. All it took was to know her and her caring ways in this article and my heart felt her pain, her love, and most all of her compassion for her fellow man. God is truly in good company. Bye Erin!!
Although I wasn’t very close to Erin, I attended school with her in junior high and high school. Over the course of these shared six years, we shared numerous classes together and I remember thinking to myself how cheerful she always was (I cannot recall a time I never saw her smiling).
Erin had an extremely contagious spirit and laughter. Anyone in the same vacinity as her couldn’t help but share in her smile and laughter.
I hear similar stories from others that knew or at least were acquainted with Erin and can’t help but feel such deep sorrow.
Erin had extremely close friends but perhaps if Erin knew just how much impact she had on even those that weren’t as close to her, maybe thight might have made for a different situation.
To Erin’s family that reads through these posts, please accept our deepest condolences. May you be able to rejoice in knowing how special many of us thought of Erin and because of her smiling and laughter, it spread where it may not have otherwise.
Shannon Lindsey
Class of 1993
While I cannot say that I knew Erin well I recall her always being very, very kind. May God comfort her family and friends.
I spent some fun times with Erin in high school during forensics. I have some pictures in a photo album of her laughing on one of our many away trips…I always remember her laughing. I haven’t seen her since we graduated, but kept up some on her life through others…what a shame that she is gone so young…terrible tragedy.
It saddens me to hear of the passing of my high school friend. She always had a bright smile and could speak to you and make you feel welcomed without saying a word. Such a tragedy. My heart goes out to Erin’s family especially her brother Todd whom I graduated with. Long live our Miss Reedley….
Class of 1995
You will always be missed, Erin. Camping isn’t the same without you 🙁
love
The Russian Gulch Crew