Martha "Jean" Pike

Martha Jean Ray Pike of North Little Rock passed away on November 8, 2023. She was born on December 6, 1937, to John Joseph Ray and Mary Dorine Carder Ray of Prattsville, Arkansas.

Jean graduated from Little Rock Central High in 1955 and then went to Baylor University in Waco, Texas. She also attended Hendrix College in Conway before going back to graduate from Baylor. Jean earned a master's degree in English literature from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. She then moved to Los Angeles with a teaching assistantship at the University of Southern California, where she enrolled to get a doctoral degree. As much as she loved learning, Jean wanted to get married and raise a family. She met George Pike during her time at Hendrix, and they married in 1962. They soon started a family and raised six daughters: Laurie Osborn (Bill), Sheri McCoy (Steve), Rebecca Lucy (Walter), Deborah Bliss (Jack), Anna Hubbard (John Paul), and Sophie Pike.

Jean made a warm and loving home where all family, friends and neighbors felt welcomed.  Growing up under her care meant an abundance of home-cooked meals; a variety of beloved pets (from dogs and cats to rabbits, gerbils, hamsters, a raccoon, a horse, birds, turtles, and occasionally a duck or geese family); a host of thriving plants; the music of Willie Nelson, Elvis Presley and other greats; and always books, books and more books. Above all, Jean nurtured her family with unconditional, fierce, and joyful love. This included all of her sons-in-law, whom she adored. 

Jean loved learning, reading and connecting people with books at her local used bookstore (The Wonderful Book Store) in Park Hill, which she operated for about 30 years. She was a life-long student of the Bible and supported her family, her friends, and her community with her faith. She will be remembered for her kindness, her wit, and her grace.   

In addition to her daughters, Jean is survived by seven grandchildren, Nick Osborn, Carder McCoy, Megan Sonnamaker (Colton), Chase McCoy, Adam Bliss, Jason Bliss and Alexis Lucy; four great-grandchildren Paxton, Hadley and Georgia Sonnamaker and Emerson Holloway; and her brother Steve Ray (Jackie). She is predeceased by her parents; her siblings Betty Ray, Judy Clark and Johnny Ray; her husband of 59 years George E. Pike, Jr.; and her grandson George Mitchell “Mitch” McCoy.