Dear Editor,

We have a huge task to fit into this small area but will do our best. We will not be able to mention specific names or it would certainly take up the whole page.

The family of Wendi Ray would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the entire Shelby County community.

In the short five and half months from her diagnosis in July to her death on Dec. 31, we have felt the love of many amazing people. So many of you provided meals, visits, and prayers throughout her doctor visits, chemo treatments, and hospital stays.

The people of the town of Columbiana provided many events from selling shirts and bracelets to provide for her medical bills to covering the town pink for Wendi. Cornerstone Christian School held a Pink Out football game in her honor and the students sold shirts and raised funds. She had a blast as a team captain!

Every event, phone call, sweet card, and meal were not taken for granted and gave us more chances to spend time with Wendi and celebrate her life together with each of you.

As her final days were evident so many of you wrapped your arms around us and truly demonstrated the love of Jesus Christ.

You encouraged us with prayers, Facebook posts, hugs, and scripture. You made a very sick girl smile over and over again. She loved you each so much.

In the days following her journey to Heaven, you once again filled our table with food, our home with beautiful plants and flowers, and our hearts with words of encouragement.

The fact that many of you stood in line for hours at Wendi’s visitation showed how much her life had affected your own.

This brought us great peace and the confidence that she will live on in each of your hearts.

In closing, I quote 1 Thessalonians 3:9: “How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?”

The Wendi Ray Family

Fourmile