In Memory Of
Joan Gray
1944
2013
Joan Gray
November 5, 1944 — October 12, 2013
Ozelle Joan Gray died Oct. 12 at age 68 at The Midland Care Hospice House amid her family and friends.
Joan was born Nov. 5, 1944, in Dallas, Texas, the daughter of W.E. and Juanita Gipson. While attending Highland Park High School in Topeka, she met and married Russell Gray Jr. in 1960. He joined the U.S. Air Force, and the couple later lived in Las Vegas and Panama City, Fla. After Russell left the service in 1965, the couple moved to Denver. In 1973, they moved to Topeka and then divorced in 1979. Joan married Ron Snodgrass in 1993; they divorced in 2010.
Joan obtained a GED, attended Clark Business College and went to work at what is now Payless Shoe Source. In the early 1990s, she started taking courses at Washburn University. What began as mild intellectual curiosity blossomed into a degree in Elementary Education in 2001. Joan then went to work for U.S.D. 501, teaching first and second grades until she retired in 2012 because of health problems.
Her mother and father preceded her in death, as did her beloved older brother, Victor.
Survivors include her children, Julia Gray (and Mike Kressig) ; Russell Gray III (and Amber Stenger); Andrew Gray; and Martin Gray, and her stepdaughters Marsha Anderson and Jane Snodgrass. Joan lives on through her 15 grandchildren and their memories of "Grandma Week": Ben Bartee, Dane Kressig, Aaron Kressig, Jordan Gray, Carrie Anderson, Russell Gray IV, Donnie Anderson, Sierra Gray, Nolan Gray, Ally Anderson, Tommy Kressig, Aidan Gray, Martin Gray, Liam Gray and John Gray.
She also is survived by her siblings: Rochelle Larson, Jean Corcoran (her twin), Robert Gipson and William Gipson, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.
A rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. Tuesday, October 15 with visitation to follow from 6:30-8 p.m. at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 16 at Mater Dei Holy Name Catholic Church, with burial following at Mount Cavalry Cemetery.
A luncheon will follow the burial at Lake Shawnee Shelter House #2.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Joan Gray's name to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, 1148 S Hillside, Suite 11, Wichita, KS 67211.
Joan was born Nov. 5, 1944, in Dallas, Texas, the daughter of W.E. and Juanita Gipson. While attending Highland Park High School in Topeka, she met and married Russell Gray Jr. in 1960. He joined the U.S. Air Force, and the couple later lived in Las Vegas and Panama City, Fla. After Russell left the service in 1965, the couple moved to Denver. In 1973, they moved to Topeka and then divorced in 1979. Joan married Ron Snodgrass in 1993; they divorced in 2010.
Joan obtained a GED, attended Clark Business College and went to work at what is now Payless Shoe Source. In the early 1990s, she started taking courses at Washburn University. What began as mild intellectual curiosity blossomed into a degree in Elementary Education in 2001. Joan then went to work for U.S.D. 501, teaching first and second grades until she retired in 2012 because of health problems.
Her mother and father preceded her in death, as did her beloved older brother, Victor.
Survivors include her children, Julia Gray (and Mike Kressig) ; Russell Gray III (and Amber Stenger); Andrew Gray; and Martin Gray, and her stepdaughters Marsha Anderson and Jane Snodgrass. Joan lives on through her 15 grandchildren and their memories of "Grandma Week": Ben Bartee, Dane Kressig, Aaron Kressig, Jordan Gray, Carrie Anderson, Russell Gray IV, Donnie Anderson, Sierra Gray, Nolan Gray, Ally Anderson, Tommy Kressig, Aidan Gray, Martin Gray, Liam Gray and John Gray.
She also is survived by her siblings: Rochelle Larson, Jean Corcoran (her twin), Robert Gipson and William Gipson, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.
A rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. Tuesday, October 15 with visitation to follow from 6:30-8 p.m. at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 16 at Mater Dei Holy Name Catholic Church, with burial following at Mount Cavalry Cemetery.
A luncheon will follow the burial at Lake Shawnee Shelter House #2.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Joan Gray's name to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, 1148 S Hillside, Suite 11, Wichita, KS 67211.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joan Gray, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
6:30 - 8:00 pm (Central time)
Penwell-Gabel - Mid-Town Chapel
Guestbook
Visits: 2
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