Rayva Ann Sorrells

Rayva Ann Sorrells (Ray), 67, of San Bernardino, CA, passed away peacefully in her home on April 30, 2025. She was preceded in death by her mother Vivian R. Jackson, father Richard E. Jackson, maternal grandmother Anna F. (Reuben) Sorrells, brothers Donald I. Jackson, James E. Jackson, and special nephew Isaac A. Jackson.

Ray was a 1976 graduate of Nogales High School in La Puente, CA. She continued her distinguished academic journey at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) before earning a Doctor of Jurisprudence at the Monterey College of Law in Monterey, CA, in 2005. She demonstrated an acuity to improve business processes by earning a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification. She was a veteran who proudly served in the United States Army.

Ray's government service career began 37 years ago. She was a police officer and an air traffic controller in Arlington, Texas, and worked for the Department of Transportation, as a certified inspector for commercial vehicles. In March 2013, she joined the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) as a Quality Assurance Specialist and was promoted to QA Technical Lead in September 2016. She aggressively took on the most challenging aspects of the job, including training new QASs and keystones. She worked diligently in making sure suppliers complied with contractual requirements. Her most recent role was serving as the Resident QA Tech Lead for the Marvin Engineering Group where she quickly assessed situations and developed a plan to keep the agency in compliance. She was key in training and developing less-experienced QA specialists.

In 1991, Ray gave her life to the Lord when she accepted Jesus Christ as her savior. Family unity was the cornerstone of Ray's existence as she held a deep, life-long love and adoration for her late mother, siblings, nieces and nephews. Highly intelligent and talented in may ways, Ray traveled the globe, spoke three languages, and offered her brilliance in many areas of life including travel, foreign affairs, politics, business, and law. She enjoyed riding motorcycles and often took long treks with any motorcycle club going her direction. More than most, she took enormous pride in her work and had immeasurable reverence for her family. She was prudent and committed to the pursuit of excellence and fairness.

Ray is survived by her sister Mary Angela Jackson, brothers Richard E. Jackson Jr., Jon (Mirna) Jackson, and David Wright, Sr., a host of special nieces, nephews, family and friends. She leaves precious memories to a special cousin, Natae Hasenberg, and life-long friend Ric (Bernice) Malenfant.

To honor Ray's wishes, no burial services will take place. The family is grateful for the massive outflow of love, care, and concern over our immense loss. We requests that any monies be sent to the St. Jude Children's Hospital as a charitable donation.