Professor H. L. Bray       
        Personal
                Hubert Edward Bray (1936-2025)     
                        Gertrude Boxley Bray (1897-1987)    
                                John Benjamin Boxley and Pattie Ely   

                        June 20, 1897 - September 24, 1987


Gertrude Boxley, Summer 1918
Her future husband would later keep this picture in his wallet.




1920


Graduating from Rice Institute (later Rice University) on June 6, 1921. Rain forced the ceremony inside.








Wedding photo, June 15, 1922




April 1, 1931 (top) and Labor Day, 1931 at Galveston (bottom)


Around 1941. Her daughters Anne Katherine (born 1927) and Marjorie (born 1929) are standing, and her son Hubert Edward Bray is sitting in her husband Hubert Evelyn Bray's lap.


Gertrude Boxley Bray with her son Hubert Edward Bray

My grandmother was one of seven female graduate from the Rice Institute in 1921. Below are photographs of the group at graduation, 20 years later, and 40 years later.

1921


20 years later in 1941





40 years later in 1961


My grandmother was very active in life at Rice University.



1970's and 1980's:

Hubert Lewis Bray (born 1970) being held by his grandmother.














Mmmm, Christmas punch, a rare treat.


Gertrude Boxley Bray with her two daughters, Anne Katherine Berling and Marjorie Chapman.


Homemade cookies, candies, and fudge like only a grandmother can make.


My grandmother drove a car from the time of the Ford Model T in her 20's until she passed away at age 90. Even more impressively, she was the life of the party - no exaggeration - her whole life. She would always say "Attitude is everything!"






With her younger sister Katie.









90th birthday party, June 20, 1987




My grandmother enjoyed painting, and was pretty good too.





Painting of her childhood home, "the farm."




(I'm not positive she painted this one.)


Her handwriting. My grandmother adored my grandfather.




Lorna Bray (daughter-in-law), Gertrude Bray, Bennie Sue Coker (sister), Earl Coker (brother-in-law), Hubert Evelyn Bray (husband)


Katie Boxley (younger sister)




At home, being a hostess, a job she took very seriously. Everyone must be well fed, enjoy great conversation, and have a great time. She worked very hard behind the scenes.


She was proud of her roses.



Maria White, back for a visit. She worked for the Bray family from the early 1930's to the late 1960's.











With her youngest sister Bennie Sue Coker


This was her favorite photo of herself, later in life.