Did anyone think at first that Willona ACTUALLY believed Ray?

[Janice Johnson]

I remember the first time I saw Willona's Surprise, I was thinking,"Come on, is Willona STILL going to marry Ray again? Thelma just implied that Ray tried to rape her!" I was smiling so big when Willona punched Ray out of the door! But did anyone else think that Willona ACTUALLY believed Ray at first?

[hch]

In the episode "Willona's Surprise" (Season 4, Episode 17), the narrative is intentionally structured to make the audience—and the Evans family—believe Willona is genuinely considering taking Ray back.
Her initial reaction to Ray's claims of being a "changed man" suggests she was truly falling for his charm again:

Apparent Acceptance: Willona is described as being "quite flattered" and "actually persuaded" that Ray had changed. She openly contemplates his offer of an engagement ring, which creates the tension you felt as a viewer.

Florida’s Warning: The script emphasizes Willona’s temporary blindness to Ray's nature by having Florida repeatedly warn her that "a tiger has stripes," reminding her of his past as a "philandering" two-timer.

The Turning Point: Willona does not immediately believe Thelma when Florida first brings up the accusations. It is only when Ray tries to defend himself by insulting Thelma—calling her a "flaky kid" and demanding Willona choose between them—that Willona sees his true colors.

The Punch: Her decision to "stay" and punch him out the door is the moment she confirms her loyalty to the Evans family over her feelings for Ray, providing the "big smile" moment you mentioned.

Many fans share your sentiment that Florida was partially at fault for the situation by inviting Ray over in the first place, as it gave him the opportunity to target Thelma. The episode’s effective "bait-and-switch" writing is what makes that final punch so satisfying for the audience.