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MSBC Media PlayerMedia Center
MSBCOC | In Remembrance
Deacon Chestine A. Ray
July 15, 1936 - March 23, 1997
Chestine Annette McGlone, daughter of Jerry and Queenie McClone, was born in
Norfolk County, Virginia on July 15, 1936. She was baptized at Metropolitan
A.M.E. Zion Church and completed her early education at St. Joseph's Catholic
School in Norfolk.
Chestine came to Baltimore, Maryland to attend Morgan State College and received her Bachelor of Science degree in music education with a concentration in voice, in 1958. While at Morgan, Chestine met Samuel Ray, whom she married on January 16, 1960. Three children, Samuel Jonathan, Teri Annette and Dawn Nichelle were born of this union.
As her husband accepted his calling to the ministry, Mrs. Ray accepted her role as his helpmate and was constantly by his side. In 1961 when Reverend Ray became pastor of the First Baptist Church of Mt. Winans, Mrs. Ray was not only the church's First Lady but was also the church secretary, directing the purchase of the church's first typewriter and producing its first bulletin. Additionally, she organized the music department and was instrumental in assuring the purchase of the church's first piano and organ.
In 1963, Mrs. Ray traveled with her husband to Liberia, West Africa, where the family remained until 1965 when Reverend Ray completed his missionary assignment there. While in Liberia, Mrs. Ray also served as a missionary and worked along-side her husband teaching in the school.
In October 1967, Mrs. Ray began more than thirty years of service as First Lady of the Morning Star Baptist Church. Because of her professional training and talent, she was actively involved in expanding the music ministry of Morning Star and for a time was the Minister of Music. In addition, she served as Director of the Senior Choir, Garnett Male Chorus and Women's Chorus and was a featured songstress in many church recitals. Mrs. Ray maintained an active role in all of the church's ministries and organizations and in 1982 was ordained as a Deacon. She was a well-respected Deacon who took seriously her calling and the responsibilities which accompanied the position. Because of her commitment and educational background, she was called upon to teach the Deacon's Sunday School class. Deacon Ray traveled with her husband to Europe, The Holy Land, Japan, China, Canada and various parts of the United States in service to the Lord.
Deacon Ray was passionate in her love of God, family and education. Throughout her professional career as an elementary school teacher and reading specialist she ministered to the whole child and sought to enhance the spirit as well as the mind. She gladly provided clothing, food, resource materials or whatever her students needed to ensure a meaningful learning experience. So as to maximize her teaching skills and her ability to connect with her students, Deacon Ray took the time to earn a Master's Degree plus thirty credits from the Johns Hopkins University. During the many years she taught school she was privileged to teach the children of some of her former students and thus, observe the fruits of her labor.
October is Women's Month at the Morning Star Baptist Church of Christ and it is most fitting that we pause to remember Deacon Chestine Ray, a Christian woman who was steadfast in her faith and sought always, through words and deeds, to magnify the Lord. Deacon Ray's demeanor, presence and involvement in service to the church and the larger community truly epitomized the stellar qualities of a minister's wife.
This month, we pay tribute to the woman who was Morning Star Baptist Church of Christ's First Lady from 1967 until 1997 and remember her walk among us.
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