Shirley Anne Gray

Shirley Anne Gray, age 79 of Lovilia, Iowa passed away on January 21, 2020 at Mercy Medical Center surrounded by family. Shirley was born on Feb. 11, 1940 in Moravia, Iowa to Loren (Bud) Walter and Ardis (Callen) Walter of Moravia. Shirley graduated from Moravia High School in 1958 as Salutatorian. She also attended Maple Grove country school through 8th grade. On March 7, 1959 she married Delbert Gray of Lovilia. They were married for 57 years prior to his passing in December of 2016. They had three children, Brad (Denise) of Albia, Shelli (Kevin) Parmenter of Overland Park, KS and Lisa (Brian) Scala of Albia. Shirley had so many sources of joy. She enjoyed hosting large family meals. Her cooking skills were infamous, and no one ever left her house hungry. She did her best to pass these skills onto her children and grandchildren. Shirley was the “Google” of the family—the source to go to when any of us had questions about anything. One of her super powers was reading Plat Books. She knew every road/farm boundary across several counties. She was actively involved in the day-to-day operation of the family farm which included both grain and livestock. She also took great pride in raising horses and of special significance were her Tennessee walking horses she bred. She had very soft spot in her heart for animals. Shirley was very generous with all she had, with the exception on the Fruit Cake and Edward Jones cookies she received at Christmas. Everyone that knew Shirley knew her favorite place on earth was on the farm. Shirley also worked outside the home while maintaining the family household. Shirley worked at the ASC office for many years. She started with FCIC (Federal Crop Insurance Corporation) in 1974 where she was the first female crop adjustor in the United States. She was recognized as a “female pioneer” as the first woman hired as Supervisor in Charge of the South-Central District as a crop adjuster for FCIC. Based upon the success in her field she was featured in a Department of Agriculture article highlighting “Women in Action”. Shirley was a member of the FSA County Committee and later a minority advisor. Shirley had a green thumb and was a Master Gardner. Shirley always saw the best in everyone. She is survived by her three children, seven grandchildren Kaley, Ethan and Caleb Gray, Kyle and Kelsi Parmenter, Brooke (Pason) Hermsen and Emily Scala, three sisters Joyce (Curg) McCoy, Sharon (Neil) Penfield, Connie Bailey, an aunt, several nieces and nephews and her beloved German Shepherd, Roscoe. Shirley was blessed to live in a unique country neighborhood where this special group of neighbors became great friends that treated one another like family. She is preceded in death by her parents (Loren and Ardis Walter), grandparents, and husband as well as sister-in-law, two brothers-in-law, numerous aunts, uncles and two nephews. Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, January 24, 2020, at Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Shirley’s family present throughout the afternoon and evening to greet friends and family. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, January 25, 2020, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Pastor Brad Gray officiating. Burial will follow services at Woodlawn Cemetery in Lovilia. In Lieu of flowers memorials have been established to Monroe County Cattlemen’s Association and the Albia Animal Clinic for stray animals.

Shirley Anne Gray

February 11, 1940 - January 21, 2020