Reshell Ray, 63, a longtime university administrator known for her dedication to student engagement and mentorship, died Feb. 10 in Lincoln.
Born in 1962 to John and Emma Jean Moore, Ray was the second oldest of five children. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri, and later completed a master’s degree at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where her career in student programming began.
As a graduate student studying urban and regional planning, Ray was a member of the University Program Council, president of the Afrikan People’s Union and served on UPC’s American Racial Minority Council. Through that work, she helped bring nationally recognized Black leaders and entertainers to campus, including Shirley Chisholm, Margaret Avery and Dr. Dre.
After graduating, she returned to the university as a programming specialist and went on to serve in several leadership roles over more than 35 years. She directed the Culture Center on UNL’s downtown campus for 10 years before serving 24 years as associate director in Campus Student Involvement. She later worked as associate director for programs and events in the Office of Student Leadership, Involvement and Community Engagement on East Campus and led the Campus NightLife program.
Student Life created an online “In Memoriam” page to recognize Ray’s decades of service to the university and its students. The complete family obituary is available via Roper and Sons.
Ray worked with thousands of undergraduate and graduate students, mentoring them and helping organize events designed to build connection across campus. She hosted large-scale programs featuring national guests, including Larry the Cable Guy at Pinnacle Bank Arena for a Team Jack fundraiser, as well as other speakers and performers. Colleagues and former students described her as a constant source of encouragement and support. Many referred to her as their “college mom.”
She met and married James Ray Jr., and they raised five children. Outside of work, she was active in her Belmont neighborhood and often spoke about strengthening community connections. She credited her Christian faith, instilled by her parents, as central to her values and leadership.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James Ray Jr.; her sisters, Regina Savage and Rosalind Jordan; and her brother, Johnny Moore.
Survivors include her parents, John and Emma Jean Moore; her brother, Derrick Moore; her children, Rachel Ray; James Ray; Jonathan Ray and his significant other, Casey Ogden; Rosalind Reloj and her spouse, Jeremy Reloj; Beccah Menter and her spouse, Jesse Menter; and Rhani Henry; and 14 grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Feb. 17 at Christ Place Church, 1111 Old Cheney Road in Lincoln. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. at the church. Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation.
