By Ruth Ferguson, NDG Editor
Francis Ray, Dallas’ own New York Times, USA Today and Essence bestselling author, died unexpectedly last week. The family shared the news via posts by her publicist on Ray’s Facebook page. As a result, fans around the world have shared their love of her books and memories over the last week.
I not only enjoyed reading several of Ray’s books, but had the pleasure of meeting her several times. The first time we really talked, she recognized my face although sadly I did not recognize her. We were attending a charity event at a mansion in Highland Park and she approached me. She struck up a conversation and it was clear that she recognized me, and I was quietly embarrassed that I did not know her. But the moment she mentioned seeing me at Black Images, the beloved bookstore Emma Rogers and company ran for years, we immediately talked for 20 minutes.
Her gracious way in handling my embarrassment crystalizes the kind lady Ray was. From there our paths crossed again at book signings and she even attended a Jus Sistahs of Dallas book club meeting and patiently answered all of our questions as we delved into the whys and wherefores of her rich characters.
Francis Ray published 50 books in her 20 year career, perhaps my favorite was her first mainstream book – The Turning Point. It tells the story of two broken people, one escaping an abusive marriage, the other the victim of a carjacking now blind and depressed. Together they work to rebuild their lives. Ray felt so passionately about domestic violence, she launched the Turning Point Legal Fund to help women build a new future.
Over the years she wrote numerous popular series including the Falcon Series and The Graysons of New Mexico. What I enjoyed about her romance novels was how Ray showcased African American love in a different way than your usual dime story romance. They also provided a platform for our love stories before companies like Harlequin discovered we loved romance as well.
Francis Ray was a wife, a mother and nurse. But she found time to partner with Emma Rodgers to create the Romance Slam Jam in 1995, bringing together African American readers and authors. The event launched at Black Images but now travels around the nation. Next year they will pay tribute to Francis Ray at the Romance Jam 2014 in New Orleans May 7-11. Registration details are available at http://www.romanceslamjam.org/.
The family shared details on the upcoming funeral via Facebook and they include:
Viewing is Friday July 12 from 4-7 p.m. at Concord Church located at 6808 Pastor Bailey Dr in Dallas. There will also be a viewing before the funeral between 9:30-11:00 am
The service is Saturday July 13 at 11 a.m. also at Concord.
For those wanting to send cards to the family, please send to:
The Family of Francis Ray, P. O. Box 764651, Dallas, TX 75376
I began to read Ms. Francis Ray’s books March of this year. My daily visits the my local library was unable to fill my need to read as many of her books as possible. My need to read her books are so urgent that I have ordered as many as I could locate. I have two question which I hope that you would be able to answer for me. 1) What is the name of the book Ms. Ray wrote that has what happen to Luke and Catherine Grayson? Catherine is the wife of Luke who is unable to have children.
2) How may I be able to purchase Ms. Ray’s book ‘All of my Love?’ I would like to add this book to my collect.
After reading my two favorite books: Forever Yours and Until there was You I was going to write to Ms. Ray, to let her know how her writing has and still is a joy and down right wonderful to read.
Unaware of her no longer being with her family or readers I regret that I did not read books years ago. The fashion which she wrote about the males in her books, was wonderful.
To Ms. Ray’s husband and daughter your wife and mother was the best author I have read in a long time. Happy have and still am able to enjoy her books. Her light inside of you both. Be well.