George W. Pray

George Washington Pray, 95, a longtime resident of Lebanon passed away peacefully with his family and pastor at his side on September 22, 2010 at the Newton Center in Sanford, where he had been a resident for the past two years. He was born in Sanford on February 22, 1915, a son of the late George W. and Ada (Gowen) Pray. He graduated from Sanford High School with the Class of 1932.On January 21, 1938, he married the former Thelma Hall in Springvale. They were married 69 years until her death in 2007.Mr. Pray was a dedicated worker who in his younger years worked in the Sanford Mills as a weaver. He also worked at Great Falls Products in Rochester and other manufacturing jobs in the area.He was a loyal Grange member for 78 years. He was past Master of the Riverside Grange and the Pomona Grange. He was a Delegate for the Republican Party and was appointed by former Governor McKernan to the Committee on Aging. He volunteered at the dinners for Senior Citizens at the Grange and Fire Station.He enjoyed farming. He enjoyed his vegetable gardens and tending to his wood lots. He was a member of the Free Will Baptist Church in West Lebanon. He enjoyed traveling to Tennessee, New York and other New England states. He also enjoyed line dancing with friends.He is predeceased by his wife, Thelma (Hall) Pray; three brothers, Donald, Kenneth and Charlie Pray; and two sisters, Mildred Dumont and Hazel White. He is survived by one son, George Wm. Pray and his wife, Diane of Lebanon; his daughters, Linda Lemoyne and her husband, Robert of California, Cathy Winship and her husband, Todd of North Berwick, seven grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and his sister, Eva White of Shapleigh.The family would like to extend a special thank you to George's church family and fellow Grange members. Their friendship and support through the years were very important to him. The family also wishes to thank everyone at the Newton Center for their loving care, and the additional support of Hospice of Southern Maine.Visiting hours will be Friday, September 24th from 6 to 8PM at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday at 11AM. Burial will follow at Oakdale Cemetery.Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider donations to the Riverside Grange, Post Office Box 42, Lebanon, Maine 04027, or to a charity of one's choice.Condolences may be expressed at www.blackfuneralhomes.com