Mary Evelyn Gray

Mary Evelyn Gray, age 88 of Albia, passed away Saturday, August 9, 2014, under the care of Monroe County Hospice at the Monroe County Hospital in Albia. Mary was born November 25, 1925, in Monroe County, IA to Lee Brink and Anna (Thomas) Hoover. Mary attended school in Hiteman and graduated from Hiteman High, class of 1942. She married Jesse Gray on September 25, 1942. To this union 6 children were born, Patricia, Cathy, Steven, Greg, Mary Beth and Timothy. They shared 41 years of marriage before Jesse's passing in 1983. Mary was a homemaker while raising her children. She then went to work in the cafeteria at the Albia Sales Company before going to work at Chamberlain's as a glass glazer where she retired from. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, the VFW Auxiliary, and the Eagles, all in Albia. She was the caretaker for the Hiteman Cemetery for many years. She enjoyed having coffee and playing cards with neighbors and friends. She liked going to play Bingo at the Legion and enjoyed doing crossword puzzles. She loved spending time with her family and in earlier years, enjoyed preparing dinner for them every Sunday. Mary is survived by 2 daughters, Cathy (Jim) Flattery and Mary Beth (Gary) Caster both of Albia; a son, Greg (Jolene Aunspach) Gray of Albia; 2 daughter-in-laws, Sandy Gray of Hiteman and Debbie Gray of Rochelle, IL; 14 grandchildren, Rick Flattery , Melissa (Edwin) Brand, Michelle (Doug) Weldon, Mike (Carrie) Gray, Monica (Richard) Tharp, Steve (Jill) Gray, Jean Ann (Randall) Watts, Brenda (Pat) McDonald, Amy (Dave) Podmolik, Chris (Melissa) Caster, Billy Donnelson, Bobby Donnelson, Lacey Gray, and Adam (Carly) Gray; 17 great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Bob Eastlick; and a sister-in-law, Thelma Hoover. Mary is also survived by many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Jesse; her parents, Brink and Annie; a daughter, Patty; 2 sons, Steve and Tim; 3 brothers, Wilbert, Robert, and Francis; and 2 sisters, Mildred and Maxine. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 13, 2014, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Albia; with Fr. Michael E. Volkmer, C.PP.S. officiating. Burial will be in the Hiteman Cemetery in Hiteman. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Tuesday, August 12, 2014, at Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Mary's family present throughout the day and evening. A rosary will be led by St. Mary's Altar and Rosary Society at 4:00 p.m., with a Christian Wake Service beginning at 6 p.m. A memorial has been established to Monroe County Hospice.

Mary Evelyn Gray

November 25, 1925 - August 9, 2014