Elizabeth (Betty) P. Bray passed away in the afternoon of 1 June 2017 at the age of 77. She was born and raised in Duncan, Oklahoma with her parents Mary Lee Stephens, J. Gordon Stephens and two brothers Bill and J. Gordon Stephens.
She attended the local elementary school, middle school and high school. After high school graduation she attended the University of Oklahoma (OU) Boomer Sooner. She received her bachelors degree in Economics/Geography in 1961. Deciding to have four more years of pain at OU she received her Masters Degree in Economics/Geography in 1964. During this timeframe she met her husband 2LT (Army) William G. Bray, Jr. and married him on 8 August 1964 after the completion of her Master's Degree. The Oklahoma Historical Society published portions of her master thesis in 1978 and 1998 titled The Historical Geography of the Boundaries of Oklahoma.
During her time at OU Betty worked at the Ford Foundation Intern Program for the Oklahoma State Senate/House of Representatives and during Bill's duty station in Fort Carson, CO. she worked as a legal secretary. During her marriage she followed her husband to duty stations in Fort Carson, CO, Norman, OK where on 29 April 1969 their oldest son was born Jeffrey Paul Bray, Wurzburg, Germany, Fort Bragg, NC, Fort Lee, VA, Fort Hood, TX where their youngest daughter Courtney Leigh Bray was born on 8 October 1972, West Point, NY, Heidelberg, Germany and West Point, NY.
Throughout all the various duty stations she volunteered with numerous organizations to include the Army Community Service, Post Thrift Shop, Officer's Wives Club and a Waiting Wives Club and raising two children and one child who was particularly rambunctious.
Elizabeth started her civilian career in Heidelberg, Germany working as a teacher and counselor (1977-1984) for the Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DODDS) at Heidelberg High School. During this timeframe throughout the summers Elizabeth, Bill, Jeff and Courtney camped and traveled throughout Europe and were dragged into every church and cathedral known to man as well as museums and battlefields. After spending 7 years in Germany, Bill PCS'd to West Point, NY where Elizabeth accepted a job at the United States Military Academy (USMA) in the admissions office from 1984 – 1988. In the summer of 1988 Bill retired from the Army as Lieutenant Colonel and the family moved to Northern Virginia in which she received an internship in Human Resources with the Department of the Army 1986-1987. She transferred to PERSCOM from 1988 – 1989. She started her position with the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID) in the spring of 1989 as a Human Resource Officer. Elizabeth worked her way up within CID and became Director of Civilian Personnel. She stayed in this position until her retirement in September 2011. At her retirement luncheon she received the Meritorious Civilian Service Medal and became an Honorary CID Special Agent. This award was the first of its kind for a civilian employee. Not only did she receive an agent badge from CID, she also received agent badges from two other Services - Department of the Air Force, Office of Special Investigation (AFOSI) and the Department of the Navy, Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).
After her retirement she continued to donate time to the Ft. Belvoir Thrift Shop and traveled to the United Kingdom as well as trips within the United States to Hawaii and the Midwest.
She is survived by her husband Bill, children Jeff and Courtney, brothers Bill and J. Gordon Stephens and three grandchildren; twins Alex and Anna and Antonio.
Please do not buy flowers if you would like to donate please donate to The Alder Center (Capital Caring) in Aldie, VA. Please click on the link below:
https://www.capitalcaring.org/join-us/donate/
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Demaine Funeral Home - Alexandria.
October 7, 2017
Tab Hunter
Blessings and condolences to Bill, Jeff and Courtney in the passing of Betty. We just learned of this and wee saddened by the news. Tab's friendship with Bill and Betty spanned many years and many countries. To Bill, we send our love and support and know all the fond lasting memories will be with you forever. So proud of Betty's accomplishments. She was indeed a very special lady. Our love to you and the children. God's blessings! Maxine and Tab Hunter....
June 17, 2017
Betsy Woodson Myles
Blessings & love to Betty on her journey & to Bill, Jeff & Courtney as you move forward without her presence in your lives. May you feel surrounded & filled with God's grace & love, knowing that loving presence is with you always.
June 16, 2017
My very deepest sympathy to the Bray family. Just remember that Betty will always be with you in your hearts. She was an absolute pleasure to work with at CID, and it was always so much fun to get together at our retired CID ladies lunches--we will miss you Ms. Betty.
Shirley Sigmon (King George, VA)
June 13, 2017
Karen Hart
You will certainly be missed dear Betty. I'm so glad I got to know you at CID and even more so at our monthly lunches with a few of the retired CID ladies. God bless and may you Rest In Peace.
June 9, 2017
Don Salo
I worked with Betty when I was the SGS at CID Command HQs and then again as a Battalion and Brigade Commander. She knew her trade, ensured what managers and leaders did was right and legal, and protected her office mates. A true hero of mine who embodied character, integrity, dignity, and grace. Betty was truly one of the great ones that loved the Army and her Army family. I will miss seeing her at all of the farewell luncheons and other CID functions. She left a mark on my heart and so many others. God Bless Betty and her family.
June 9, 2017
Dear Bill, Jeff, Courtney and Family, We were very sad to hear of Betty's passing and know that she'll be missed by all who knew her. Our friendship began at West Point as our children grew and we enjoyed a fun time there! What a most endearing lady Betty was-a devoted wife, loving and caring Mother, awesome friend, great cook, always volunteered and left little time for herself. Cherish those memories and find strength and comfort in your friends, your family and your faith. May our God watch over you and bless you. With heartfelt sympathy and love, Sherry and Tom Glisson
June 8, 2017
Joseph P Smith
My sympathies to Betty's family for their loss. She was a fantastic person and a very conscientious work colleague. Betty would do whatever was possible within her powers for all the civilian employees of our organization. She worked tirelessly to implement and support dramatic changes to the organization with which I was affiliated. Thank you, Betty.
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