With relentless dedication, Ray helps preserve area history

“My original goal was to make a list of names of those who died in the Poplar Bluff tornado of 1927,” explains Kati Ray of Poplar Bluff. “Shon Griffin, who worked at the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library, thought it would be nice to have a memorial to those who lost their lives that day. I told him I would be willing to compile a list of names. I never intended to write a book.”

Ray continues, “When the tornado struck on May 9, 1927, Poplar Bluff changed forever. The victims ranged in age from four months to 89 years. I really feel like God wanted those people honored and remembered in some way. I was just the vessel to do it.”

Ray goes on to say that in addition to naming the victims, she decided to add birth dates. Then, she met family members, who had photos and stories — the project simply grew from there.

Terena Whitworth of Poplar Bluff nominated Ray as a 2020 Difference Maker because of Ray’s work on the tornado memorial, as well as her dedication to the Poplar Bluff History Museum.

In reflecting on the nomination, Whitworth observed, “Kati was relentless at getting information about the tornado victims and in finding their graves. Poplar Bluff is lucky to have her drive and passion.”

Ray says both the tornado and the museum are vital aspects of local and county history.

She feels her work in historical preservation is important because she believes it is history, which connects individuals to each other.

“We share a common bond,” Ray observes, “in the places, people and stories of our town. When we study our history, I think we become better people because we come to realize the legacy that our lives will leave behind.”

Ray joined the Butler County Historical Society in 1998 when she returned to Poplar Bluff after several years away.

She currently serves as the secretary of the board and is the curator for three of the display areas at the museum.

In reflecting on her involvement with the museum, Ray says she draws her inspiration from her desire to contribute culturally to the community.

“The Poplar Bluff Museum is one of the many cultural resources available in our city,” Ray points out. “Resources, such as this, are critical for enriching the human spirit, and the work I do here is my little way of contributing to that.

“However,” she continues, “I am only one of several other dedicated individuals, who also serve on the board. They are a wonderfully diverse group of people who all contribute to the museum in their own special way.”

Ray praises the museum board for its diligent work in finding interesting stories and artifacts about all facets of life in the history of Poplar Bluff and Butler County.

Ray says currently there are 14 different display areas in the museum that will appeal to a wide-range of ages and interests.

In addition to her work at the museum, Ray continues to edit and revise her book about the 1927 tornado and is looking forward to releasing a second edition. She also is working on a collection of Poplar Bluff stories.

Ray is a graduate of Poplar Bluff High School and Missouri State University. She and her husband, Steve, live in Poplar Bluff. They have three children, Charles, Elizabeth and Blane.