Lora Ray-Karlin 1964-2021
Lora Ray-Karlin of Topeka passed away on Dec. 1, 2021, surrounded by her loved ones.
Lora was born on Dec. 9, 1964, in Holton, the daughter of Roy and Rexanna Ray. Lora was an ambitious, determined and captivating person from a young age; these characteristics only grew as she got older. In 1982 Lora gave birth to her first child, Justin. Determined to give him the best life she could, she continued to work hard and graduated from Holton High School in 1983. Four years later, Lora welcomed her daughter, Shellsea.
Lora continued to strive to provide for her two children, which pushed her to continue her education. In 1996 Lora put herself through school and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s in human resources from Ottawa University.
She spent the first part of her career as the human resource director for CDFM2 of Kansas City. After 10 years of working her way up in the firm, Lora ventured on a new journey and co-founded Avalon Home Health Inc. with her partner Chris Myers. They ran this company together for 14 years before deciding she needed a change.
Lora moved to Topeka, where she settled down and really began enjoying/living her life. Lora cared for individuals in their final weeks of life with the St. Croix Organization. She referred to this time in her life as the most influential and rewarding. Lora retired after six years with St. Croix and began centering her life around her family.
She liked to spend time with her granddaughters, godmother Katie Holliday and best friend Becky Black and Chris Noe. Lora enjoyed having get togethers at her home with her family for all holidays and occasional dinners. Lora spent most days crafting, baking and shopping with her oldest granddaughter, Annabelle.
In 2020 Lora’s daughter Shellsea along with her family moved next door. Lora expressed the joy she had watching her granddaughter travel through the woods to Nana’s house anytime they wanted. She lived for her granddaughters and family. Lora will be remembered for her generosity, cunningness, quick wit, compassion, love for others and the beauty she brought to the lives of all who knew her.
Lora is preceded in death by her son Justin Nott, her mother Rexanna Ray, her beloved uncle and aunt Dean and Virginia Hune, grandparents and many others.
Lora is survived by two amazing stepdaughters, Lauren Reed and husband Timothy and Nicole Parks and husband Dylan and stepson Jordan Myers. Lora leaves behind her only living child, Shellsea Martin, her husband Andy and the five granddaughters she cherished more than life itself, Annabelle, Charli, Beckam, Kenna and Lainey, her brother Kelly and father Roy Ray and wife Joan.
A celebration of life will be held in early December 2022; for information, please contact her daughter Shellsea.
(PAID OBITUARY)
