Naomi Ruth
Wray arrived at Brooks-Howell Home, where she was welcomed
especially by her friends who also served in India. She was born
in Detroit, Michigan, where she attended schools through Wayne
State University, where she majored in Fine Arts. She then took a
teacher-training course to teach art and started her
Master’s. She taught one year in the public school in grades
1-8. She left to be a short-term missionary in India in Jabalpur
Methodist schools, where she taught Teacher Training courses at
Hawa Bach’s Women’s College: English, Christian Ethics,
nursery training courses, and was librarian. She also taught
Visual Aids courses at Leonard Theological College in the same
city. She was able to use her art in these and other activities.Naomi’s three-year term expanded to four years, during which time she and a short-term missonary pastor became engaged. When they returned to the U.S., they were married in Detroit. Her husband, Fred Wray, went to Boston University to finish a Master’s in Theology, and Naomi finished her Master’s in Art History and Christian Art by Indian artists. They were then sent to Jabalpur, to teach at Leonard Theological College. She had reorganized the library at Women’s College, which permitted it to be recognized as a state college, and also served as Seminary librarian at times.
She became a Deaconess in the Indian Methodist Church, was active in WSCS and the Deaconess organization. She taught a graduate course in Leonard Theological College, Indian Art as an Expression of Christian Faith, Indian Iconography, women’s classes to seminary students’ wives, and Religious Education candidates. She also used her own art in the service of Christian publications. Naomi has written or illustrated seven books. One of those she illustrated was by Indian Christian poet Chandran Devanesan. Frank Wesley, the first well known Christian artist, is the subject of her most appreciated book, Frank Wesley–Exploring Faith with a Brush. A resident has lent a copy of this book which is now out of print, and it is in the second floor lounge at Bethea Building. Presently she is writing a book about Indian artists who have made Christian Art.
When she and her husband moved to Bombay she managed a Guest House, where she was able to organize an Indian Christian Art Association. They held an annual Christian Art Exhibition, and held seminars and workshops in various parts of the country.
In retirement she had six art exhibitions of her collection of Christian Art from India, mostly in colleges and seminaries. She is proud of her three children, who are all married, and her seven grandchildren. Her children were all born and educated in India. Her husband died in 1999 in his home village, Schuyler, Virginia.