Robbie Johnson Ray was born on January 29, 1950, in Fort Worth, Texas, to Robert “Bob” and Joyce Johnson. In 1981, she married the love of her life, Dan Ray, and together they built a meaningful life grounded in curiosity, compassion, and adventure. In 1986, they moved to Alpine, Texas, a community that became her cherished home.

Robbie is survived by her husband, Dan Ray; her sister, Stephanie (Johnson) Reatz, and Stephanie’s husband, Al Reatz, of Nacogdoches, Texas; her stepchildren, Matthew Ray and his wife Leslie of Austin, Texas, and Kristen (Ray) Kellerhals and her husband Cyrill of Fort Worth, Texas; and her beloved grandchildren, Caroline Janek, Oliver Ray, and Arden Ray. Family was deeply important to Robbie, and she took great pride in each generation.

Robbie’s professional life reflected both dedication and a lifelong love of learning. She worked for 19 years as a legal secretary, with her final position under attorney Kenneth DeHart. She later returned to school at Sul Ross State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a Master of Education with a mathematics specialty. Robbie went on to teach freshman mathematics at Sul Ross for 12 years, positively influencing countless students before retiring in 2012.

Outside of her career, Robbie lived a life rich in interests and accomplishments. She was an avid reader and kept a lifelong journal, finding meaning and reflection through the written word. She loved riding motorcycles and proudly fulfilled a lifelong goal by riding in all 48 contiguous United States. Gardening brought her great joy—especially watching bees and butterflies thrive in the spaces she lovingly tended. She also possessed a special gift for quilting, spending hours each day creating beautiful quilts. Robbie had a deep and abiding love for animals. She delighted in meeting other people’s dogs while out on her daily walks and cherished every opportunity to connect with them. Over the decades, her home was shared with more than 50 pet cats—many adopted and others lovingly taken in as strays—each cared for with compassion and devotion.

Robbie firmly believed in “angels on earth” and often spoke of seven angels—both people and moments—that made a profound and lasting impact on her life, gifts she treasured and remembered with deep gratitude. She will be remembered for her intellect, independence, creativity, and generous heart. Robbie Johnson Ray’s legacy lives on through her family, her students, the handmade quilts she created, and the many lives—human and animal alike—that were better for having been touched by her.

If you wish to honor Robbie, donations may be made to the Alpine Humane Society.

A graveside memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Elm Grove Cemetery in Alpine, Texas beginning at 10:00 AM.