Patricia "Patty" Marie Gray

Patricia "Patty" Marie Gray, age 68 of Albia, passed away Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at Oakwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Albia. Patty was born May 24, 1943 north of Hiteman to Jesse and Mary (Hoover) Gray. She married Ronnie Underwood, and they later divorced. A graduate of Albia High School, Class of 1962; Pat grew up and attended grade school in Hiteman. She worked at Smitty's right out of high school. She also worked for many years at the Albia Manor and VA Hospital in Knoxville. Patty was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Fraternal Order of Eagles, VFW Auxiliary, Professional Musicians' Club of Iowa, Midwest County Jamboree, and taught CCD classes at St. Mary's. She loved music and has recordings of herself singing from younger years and when she traveled to Nashville, TN to record a Country album. She always enjoyed singing at mass, funerals, in the Follies, and at nursing homes. She also sang a lot of Country and Gospel at the Iowa State Fair. She had an interest for nature and liked watching Animal Planet, along with being outdoors and going fishing. Most important to Pat was her family, especially her nieces and nephews. Patty is survived by her mother, Mary Gray of Albia; siblings, Cathy (Jim) Flattery of Albia, Steve (Sandy) Gray of Hiteman, Greg (Jolene Aunspach) Gray of Albia, Mary Beth (Gary) Caster of Albia, and Tim (Debbie) Gray of Rochelle, IL. Patty is also survived by many nieces and nephews, Rick and Melissa, Michelle, Mike, Monica, and Bobby, Stevie and Jean Ann, Brenda, Amy, and Chris, Lacey, Adam, Billy, and Bobby; and 16 great nieces and nephews. Patty is preceded in death by her father, Jesse; and a special aunt and uncle, Maxine and George Havelock. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, December 24, 2011 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Albia; with Father Michael E. Volkmer, C.PP.S. officiating. Interment will be in Hiteman Cemetery in Hiteman. Visitation will begin at 12 p.m. noon, Friday, December 23, 2011 at Tharp-Winfield Funeral Home in Albia with Pat's family present throughout the day and evening. A rosary will be led by St. Mary's Altar and Rosary Society Friday at 4 p.m., at the funeral home, along with a Christian Wake Service Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. An open memorial has been established in Patty's name. Condolences may be made at www.tharpfh.com

Patricia "Patty" Marie Gray

May 24, 1943 - December 21, 2011