By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

FOURMILE – Hundreds of Facebook posts poured into the care page of Fourmile resident Wendi Ray, who passed away Dec. 31.

Ray, 40, was born with Down syndrome and was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2012. She was a 1992 graduate of Shelby County High School, and a dedicated University of Alabama fan.

Ray traveled the United States to compete in Special Olympics national bowling tournaments, and she was also a motivation speaker for them, according to Ray’s obituary.

“Our Trooper has been a strong courageous girl,” Sallie Ray, Ray’s mother, wrote on the Wendi Ray Care Page on Facebook Dec. 31. “She has loved everyone with a heart like Jesus, unconditionally. She saw no wrong in anyone. My prayer along this journey was and still is that someone comes to know her Heavenly Father and love and trust Him the way our Trooper does.”

Ray is survived by her parents, Larry and Sallie Ray of Fourmile, as well as numerous family members.

“Those of us who were blessed to be on the receiving end of her love have become better people because of it and will not allow her legacy to fade,” Ray’s obituary read. “Though cancer took her hair, her health and her life, it did not take her hope, her spirit or her smile.”

Ray’s funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 4 at Bethel Baptist Church, located at 55 Shelby County 49 off Alabama 25 in Columbiana, with burial at Pinelawn Gardens in Columbiana. Visitation will be at Bethel Baptist Church on Thursday, Jan. 3 from 4-7 p.m. Services will be officiated by Ray’s Auburn buddy, Bro. John Willis, Ray’s obituary stated. Please leave online condolences at Boltonfuneralhome.com.

Please send flowers or donate in Ray’s memory to the Special Olympics or the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama at Bcrfa.org.