Born November 01, 1952 in Texas City, Texas at Mainland Hospital to Rev. Dave and Cora Ray, Jr.

      Iva grew up in Dickinson Texas and attended Dickinson schools, where she would have graduated from Dunbar High in 1970

     As a youth, Iva attended church at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Dickinson and accepted Christ at a very young age. Iva held on to her beliefs throughout her life.

     Iva later married Robert Lee Wilson, February 8, 1971, and remained married for 45 years, until Robert’s death. Iva and Robert bore no children of their own, but God saw fit and blessed the two with Ken’Deris Laspersia Lott, a very handsome baby boy, in Oct, 1999, when he was 2 weeks old.

     Iva worked as a housekeeper for several hotels and a nursing home and as a nanny. She volunteered her time babysitting nieces and nephews as well.

     Iva: Meaning God is gracious

     Iva was a devoted wife and a loving mother and grandmother whose life was rooted in family, faith, and service to others. She worked hard to help support her family and opened her home to anyone who needed a place to stay, never turning away those in need. Her heart was as big as her table, and there was always room for one more.

     Iva truly loved her family and cherished spending time together. She knew how to enjoy life and make memories that will live on in the hearts of many. If anyone remembers nothing else about Iva, they should remember this: she loved her some ribs, could smother the heck out of some chicken with that famous 40-weight gravy, and made some of the best green beans you’ve ever tasted. Her cooking wasn’t just food—it was love served on a plate.

     Iva was a forgiving soul, not one to hold a grudge, and she was slow to anger. Quiet in her own special way, she didn’t need to be loud to be strong. But when she roared, she roared. When she protected, she protected fiercely. And most importantly, when Iva loved, she loved with her whole heart.

     Her memory will forever live on through the lives she touched, the family she nurtured, and the love she gave so freely. Iva may be gone from our sight, but she will never be gone from our hearts.

     Preceded in death by parents Dave and Cora Ray Jr., husband Robert Wilson, brothers Dave Ray, III, Leroy Ray, Sr. sister Lois Jackson, and nephew Dave Ray, IV.

     Iva leaves a legacy of love with 1 son, Ken’Deris Lott; 2 granddaughters, Ta’Lani Roselynn Lott and Kendalynn Iva Lott of Texas City, TX; 2 sisters, Irene Ray of Dickinson, TX, and Dorothy Thomas of Brenham, TX. Devoted nieces Deirdre Ray, Yolanda “Kitty” Frank, whom she raised as her own, Cora Ray, Adrienne Ray, LaTrina Ray, Iva Ray, and Brittney Smith. Devoted nephews David Ray, Leroy Ray, Jr., Gregory Ray, Michael Ray, Atreyu Ray, Curtis Thomas, Jr., Nekia Thomas, and Casey Thomas.  A host of tender-hearted great and great-great nieces and nephews.  A long-time friend Willie “Sammi Jo” Bellard. A host of other family and friends.