A small group of mourners gathered early Friday evening to mark one year since the death of 16-year-old Sabrina Ray of Perry.
Sabrina was the adopted daughter of Marc and Misty Ray of Perry, who allegedly starved the teenager to death in their home, which was also a daycare center they operated called Rays of Sunshine. The Rays are yet to face trial on a multitude of charges, including first-degree murder and kidnapping.
Amanda Howard of Perry and Michelle Lynn Gall of Perry organized the remembrance ceremony. Both young mothers were touched by the tragedy of Sabrina as customers of the Rays’ daycare, as were others attending the remembrance vigil.
The gathering took place in Wiese Park, where a memorial bench and flowering crabapple tree were placed last June in honor of the innocent young victim. Howard welcomed attendees to the event under cold and cloudy skies.
“In addition to remembering Sabrina Ray,” Howard said to the mournful, “we also are here for forgiveness and hope, hope for a better future for our children and hope for finding forgiveness and hope that as a community we will never again have a tragedy like this happen.”
Also speaking was the Rev. Rick Gates of Crossroads Church in Perry. Gates edified the crowd with a 35-minute discourse that also touched the themes of love, hope and forgiveness.
A simple ceremony of candle lighting followed the words of remembrance. Refreshments were provided by Howard and Gall and the friends of Crossroads Church.
