Berthel Anderson Bray, Sr

Berthel Anderson Bray, Sr, age 86, of Belle, passed away Sunday, December 7, 2014 at his residence.

Berthel was on June 25, 1928, in Vienna, a son to the late Millard Anderson and Orpha Irene Jessie (Brown) Bray. His father preceded him in death in 1968 and his mother in 1999.

Berthel attended school in Vienna and proudly graduated in 1945. On June 16, 1950 he was united in marriage to Ruth Naomi Sadler at the Union Hill Baptist Church near Vienna and from this union five children were born. Ruth preceded Berthel in death on January 13, 1998.

Berthel was a lifelong resident of the Vienna area and a member of the Union Hill Baptist Church. He worked many different jobs throughout his life, including a stint as a deputy sheriff and a truck driver, but his true calling was "the farm". He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gigging and listening to bluegrass, but his greatest love was time spent with his family, friends and his beloved St. Louis Cardinals.

Berthel is survived by; the five children, Doris Mosley and her husband Eddie of California, MO, Berthel Bray, Jr. and his wife Brenda of Eugene, Lana Scott and her husband Virgil (Scotty) of Jamestown, NC, Donna Scheidt and her husband Paul of Raytown, and Danny Bray and his wife Sandy of Belle; two brothers, Ellis Bray and his wife Jackie of Eldon, and Jimmie Bray and his wife Sylvia of California, MO; one sister, Anna Mae Snodgrass and her husband Delmar of Vienna; two brothers-in-law Leroy Oppermann of Tipton and Bert Cobble of Florissant; five sisters-in-law, Lorene Drewel and her husband Ken of Belle, Glenda Wade and her husband Dick of Williamsburg, VA, Velma Sadler of Belle, Mary Sadler of Granite City, IL and Billie Jean Sadler of Rolla; special friend, Louise Albertson of Vienna; thirteen grandchildren, twenty one great-grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren as well as many other extended family members and friends.

In addition to his parents and wife of 47 years, Berthel was preceded in death by; four sisters, Helen Oppermann, Jeanne Cobble, Dorothy Bray, and Elaine Bray; one brother, Lonnie Bray; four brothers-in-law, Glen Sadler, Lee Roy Sadler, B.B. Sadler, and Woodrow Smith; one sister-in-law, Bessie Smith; and one step-grandson.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, December 12, 2014, at Sassmann's Chapel in Belle.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2014 at the Union Hill Baptist Church near Vienna with Bro. Jimmy Bickell officiating. Interment will follow in the Union Hill Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Union Hill Cemetery fund.