14BFF. Wanda Jean Youngblood was born in Lawrence, Van Buren County, Michigan, on Friday, January 5, 1945. Gene Raymond Ray was born in Nashville, Berrien County, Michigan, on Monday, August 5, 1940. They were married in South Haven, Van Buren County, Michigan, on Saturday, June 1, 1963. She took the name Wanda Jean Ray. She is the daughter of William Harry and Beulah Irene (Dannenberg) Youngblood. He is the son of Vester and Thelma Louise (Mathis) Ray. They had four children:
| i. | Kelly Jean Ray [#14BFFA]: She was born in Winter Haven, Florida, on September 14, 1964. | |
| ii. | Shelly Marie Ray [#14BFFB]: She was born in Bartow, Polk County, Florida, on March 5, 1966. | |
| iii. | Wanda Sueann Ray [#14BFFC]: She was born in Bartow on June 9, 1967. | |
| iv. | Gene Raymond Ray [#14BFFD]: He was born in Bartow on June 10, 1969. |
Wanda was a beautician and a respiratory equipment technical supervisor. Gene was a heavy equipment operator.
After they were married, Wanda and Gene bought about half an acre of land in
Bartow, Florida, and cleared and burned it themselves. Gene was working at a
lumber yard and his boss had blue prints for several houses. He chose one and
modified it to suit their needs and finances. Gene and Wanda built the
house themselves because they could not afford a contractor. About four years
later they bought an additional five acres of land behind their place.
The house has undergone several renovations in the intervening years but is
still standing proudly.