J.D. and Theda Bray, part of the history of Jay

J. D. Bray turned 90 years old on December 25, 2009 (Christmas Day). I learned this information from the large billboard sign located on Highway 4, West. I had turned my head slightly to my right; then I saw it. I thought to myself, Mayor Bray knows a lot of Jay history. He and his wife, Theda, have contributed much to that history.

J.D. was born and raised in jay. He joined the Army in 1937 to serve his country in World War II. He was at the “Belgium Bulge.” He served in France and Germany. He served in the Army from 1937 until 1945. J.D. is a life-long member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

J.D. and Theda were married September 11, 1952. They got married in Mississippi. Theda laughed and said it was a trend at that time to get married in Mississippi. Theda was also born and raised in Jay. They have three children—Debbie, Cheryl, and Stewart.

J.D. served two years on Jay’s Town Council (1954-1956) before becoming Mayor of Jay in 1956. J.D. was also Jay’s judge. He held “Mayor’s Court” every Saturday morning. Most law-breakers were traffic violators. In the early years, J.D. swept the streets of downtown Jay at night, with help of course. J.D. was Mayor of Jay for 44, with only a break of two years. So, altogether as Councilman and Mayor, he has served Jay for 46 years. I asked J.D. how he liked being the Mayor of Jay. He said, “I enjoyed it.”

Before marriage, Theda graduated from a business college. She went to work for Escambia River Electric Cooperative for 5 years. She then resigned to work for St. Regis Paper Company. She worked there before and after she was married; altogether for 5 years. She took leave to give birth to Debbie in 1956. She stayed on for 2 years. She went back to work at the St. Regis Credit Union. She then had to take leave again to give birth to Cheryl in 1958. She worked part-time at the St. Regis Credit Union for a year, and at the same time worked every Tuesday part-time at Jay’s Livestock Market. She continued to work part-time at the livestock market for 25 years. In 1961 she gave birth to Stewart.

In 1964 Theda became Jay’s first Town Clerk. She held that position for 12 years.

In 1977, Theda attended Jefferson Davis College in Brewton, AL. In 1981, she graduated from the University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida. In that same year, she bought an established beauty shop and renamed it Hair Designs. She served as owner and manager.

In 1983, Theda went back to work for Escambia River Electric Cooperative as their Energy Advisor. Later she served them as their Administrative Assistant & Director of Administration. But, she kept on working there as their Dispatcher until 2005.

Theda served as President of the Jay Chamber of Commerce for two years and its Treasurer for 1 year. All this was in the late 1990s.

J.D. commented that he sure did enjoy going on the Emerald Coast Honor Flight last year (2009) to see the World War II Veterans Memorial. His flight took off from Ft. Walton.

You can see that J.D. & Theda have served their community long and well. They are still serving today. Theda still attends meetings. She still belongs to the Jay Area Chamber of Commerce, and both are still members of the American Legion. J.D. cannot plant and tend his flowers and vegetable gardens because of his health, but he can sure visit with everyone and give them a lot of Jay’s history. Thank you J.D. and Theda.