Many in Washington County are remembering the life of a little girl friends say loved well, and was well-loved.
Just before 9:00 a.m. Saturday morning, 10-year-old Olivia Noel Ray died after she was hit by an SUV while crossing Razorback Road, on the crosswalk from Baum Stadium to the east parking area in Fayetteville.
Farther up Razorback Road, off South Hartman Street, 5News caught up with the family and friends of Olivia Ray. Although they are grieving, loved ones had much to share about a girl they say changed many lives.
Loved ones are flooding the Fayetteville home where Olivia Ray lived with her parents and three sisters. They're supporting the Rays with memories of their vivacious little girl. Her Leverett Elementary School Principal, Cheryl Putnam, calls her "a bright light - that is Olivia." Family friend Linda Mohlman agrees. "When I think about Olivia, I think about, just, LIFE. And she was just full of life. Even though she was here for such a short time, I think the way she lived her life, I would love to live my life like her, because she was full of joy and never met a stranger. She would just run up to you and just hug you, and just cared deeply." Putnam says Olivia stood out in the classroom as an intelligent participant, always ready to volunteer answers, and just as eager to aid her classmates. Putnam takes us to Olivia's desk. They've stationed it in the hallway with a photo of Olivia and a brightly beaded lamp Putnam says perfectly represents Olivia. "[I] can't really think of Olivia Ray without putting a smile on your face." Then she leads us across the hall. "This is Olivia's 4th grade classroom. This is where Olivia sat in the class. Olivia always had on lots of beads and colors - she loved colors." Back at the Ray's house, Alex and Teresa Cornett, who go to church with the Ray family, describe that love of color: "for at least three years she wore these ruby red slippers, with everything." There may have been no place like home, but Putnam shares how at ease Olivia was in the classroom. "She was always one of those children in the classroom you could sit by anybody because she's going to get along with them, and she's going to help them." Mohlman says Olivia's love for others came from her parents. "'Cause that's the way they love - they love like Christ loved, and Olivia learned that, and she learned it at a young age, and just a blessing to know her, and to know that her life was lived well." Family friend Bob Tate has known the Rays for about 40 years. With emotion, he says, "it's just a family that's loved others, just gone all over the world just touching lives." And many like Putnam say Olivia touched their life with her light. "Olivia Ray is, and always will be, a ray of sunshine." For those wishing to leave the family notes and prayers of encouragement, there is a guest book at the Ray's home, and a box on Olivia's desk at her school, Leverett Elementary. Family friends tell 5News that Olivia's funeral will be held this Thursday at 4:30 in Fayetteville.
23-year-old Charles Frazier of Dallas was driving the SUV that hit Olivia. He has been cited for careless driving.
Fayetteville police hope to complete their investigation into this incident by Monday morning.
To offer help to the Ray family, there are a variety of websites available: http://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/618495/login/
http://www.gracechurchnwa.org/
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=21853869764
http://web.me.com/janeray1/Ray_Family_Goteam/The_Latest_News/Entries/2009/10/3_Olivia_Noel_Ray.html
http://web.me.com/janeray1/Ray_Family_Goteam/Contact_info.html
Just before 9:00 a.m. Saturday morning, 10-year-old Olivia Noel Ray died after she was hit by an SUV while crossing Razorback Road, on the crosswalk from Baum Stadium to the east parking area in Fayetteville.
Farther up Razorback Road, off South Hartman Street, 5News caught up with the family and friends of Olivia Ray. Although they are grieving, loved ones had much to share about a girl they say changed many lives.
Loved ones are flooding the Fayetteville home where Olivia Ray lived with her parents and three sisters. They're supporting the Rays with memories of their vivacious little girl. Her Leverett Elementary School Principal, Cheryl Putnam, calls her "a bright light - that is Olivia." Family friend Linda Mohlman agrees. "When I think about Olivia, I think about, just, LIFE. And she was just full of life. Even though she was here for such a short time, I think the way she lived her life, I would love to live my life like her, because she was full of joy and never met a stranger. She would just run up to you and just hug you, and just cared deeply." Putnam says Olivia stood out in the classroom as an intelligent participant, always ready to volunteer answers, and just as eager to aid her classmates. Putnam takes us to Olivia's desk. They've stationed it in the hallway with a photo of Olivia and a brightly beaded lamp Putnam says perfectly represents Olivia. "[I] can't really think of Olivia Ray without putting a smile on your face." Then she leads us across the hall. "This is Olivia's 4th grade classroom. This is where Olivia sat in the class. Olivia always had on lots of beads and colors - she loved colors." Back at the Ray's house, Alex and Teresa Cornett, who go to church with the Ray family, describe that love of color: "for at least three years she wore these ruby red slippers, with everything." There may have been no place like home, but Putnam shares how at ease Olivia was in the classroom. "She was always one of those children in the classroom you could sit by anybody because she's going to get along with them, and she's going to help them." Mohlman says Olivia's love for others came from her parents. "'Cause that's the way they love - they love like Christ loved, and Olivia learned that, and she learned it at a young age, and just a blessing to know her, and to know that her life was lived well." Family friend Bob Tate has known the Rays for about 40 years. With emotion, he says, "it's just a family that's loved others, just gone all over the world just touching lives." And many like Putnam say Olivia touched their life with her light. "Olivia Ray is, and always will be, a ray of sunshine." For those wishing to leave the family notes and prayers of encouragement, there is a guest book at the Ray's home, and a box on Olivia's desk at her school, Leverett Elementary. Family friends tell 5News that Olivia's funeral will be held this Thursday at 4:30 in Fayetteville.
23-year-old Charles Frazier of Dallas was driving the SUV that hit Olivia. He has been cited for careless driving.
Fayetteville police hope to complete their investigation into this incident by Monday morning.
To offer help to the Ray family, there are a variety of websites available: http://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/618495/login/
http://www.gracechurchnwa.org/
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=21853869764
http://web.me.com/janeray1/Ray_Family_Goteam/The_Latest_News/Entries/2009/10/3_Olivia_Noel_Ray.html
http://web.me.com/janeray1/Ray_Family_Goteam/Contact_info.html
