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RecordIdNumber: MH:N10
Note: EDYTHE LAURA RAY: (Her first name was spelled “Edith” on her birth certificate, but she changed the spelling to Edythe and this is how her name appeared in a 1925 Johnstown directory.) She was born on March 31, 1904 in the East Conemaugh section of Johnstown, PA, the daughter of Thomas Temple Ray and Laura Sarah Fredricy. In December of that year, her father died, so she never knew him. She was the youngest of two brothers and three sisters. Four years after her father’s death, Laura remarried, but it was not a happy union. Her step-father was a hard drinking man and the home life suffered because of it. He was the typical abusive drunk, mean and surly when drinking, and then apologetic when he sobered up. He was resentful of Tom’s children and Laura did her best to keep them clear of him. Edith’s two brothers were sent away to school in Philadelphia and soon Nellie moved out and went to Kansas where her grand parents were living. Later she came back to Johnstown and took sister Pearl back with her. Nellie said she would come back for Edythe, but never did…a fact that Edythe always resented. She quit school as soon as she was of legal age and moved away from home because she could not tolerate the living conditions and turmoil caused by her stepfather's drinking. This would have been around 1922, at the age of 16. She first moved in with her Aunt Ella Morgan at 1292 Franklin St and secured employment as a warper at the Buser Silk Co, makers of silk ribbon and broad silk. In a 1925 directory she was listed as “forelady” (an interesting term for that time) at the Buser Silk mill and living at 1320 Roxbury Ave. In 1929, shortly before her marriage she was listed as a “forelady” at the Miesch Manufacturing Co (formerly Buser Silk) and renting at 819 Bedford St, Dale Boro. Edythe wanted a better life for herself and worked hard to achieve it. She later expressed regret for not having completed school and being a factory employee - she was a 'proud lady.' Edythe was a member of the Church of the Brethren and that is how she met Carl. Though he was not of that religion, he played on the church basketball team. Their first date was a picnic, during which Carl took a drink. Since witnessing first hand the adverse effects of alcohol, she did not want it to be any part of her life and wouldn't talk or have anything to do with Carl for two years. He persisted and won her over (he wasn't a drinking man). They were married May 2, 1929 and she converted to the Lutheran faith. After the birth of their first child, Nancy in 1930, she tried to go back to work, hiring a black woman to take care of the baby. However, the child care provider soon quit and Edythe made no more attempts to continue her career outside of the home. Edythe died June 20, 1995. She is buried in Grandview Cemetery Highland Section 3, Lot 67.
CHILDREN OF CARL AND EDYTHE WERE:
Nancy Elizabeth Wallace b. August 12, 1930
John Ray Wallace b. February 2, 1937 d. July 12, 2003
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