Robert Gray, Sr obituary

Robert Gray Sr, obituary

Robert Gray Sr., 77, died today at 1:30 am in Memorial Hospital, Nashville, Tennessee, after an illness of two years. He was a retired pipe fitter and resided in Old Hickory, Tennessee.

Funeral services will be conducted Sunday at 2 pm, at McReynolds Chapel by the Rev. T. W. Mayhew. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery.

Mr. Gray was born in Montgomery County August 20, 1890, and has spent most of his life here. He was the son of the late Henry C. and Lillie Flack Gray. His wife, Ida Bell Davis Gray, died March 9, 1944.

Survivors are a son, Robert Gray, Jr., Old Hickory, Tennessee; a brother, William D. Gray, Louisville, Ky.; a sister, Mrs. Forest Rorie, Madison, Ind.; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Nephews will serve as pallbearers.

Source: Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle (Clarksville, TN) clipping obtained from June Gray's black scrapbook, 2011

Henry Clay Gray Eulogy (by Richard Lynn Gray, 1987)

Eulogy
Assignment #1
May 30, 1987

Richard Gray

Death and Dying

SW 731
Shirley L. Patterson
Summer 1987
The University of Kansas
School of Social Welfare

Eulogy for Henry Clay Gray

May 21, 1919 - January 30, 1960

Henry Gray was a man who overcame obstacles. He overcame the childhood injury of being run over by a school bus. He overcame growing up in a family that lost everything in the depression. He overcame being relocated from the hills of the Tennessee-Kentucky border to the dustbowl plains of south-central Kansas. He overcame his own relative lack of marketable skills and managed to support his family in times of economic hardship.

He lost his mother to cancer and experienced the loss of two children being miscarried or stillborn. He lost part of his health when he was run over by that school bus. He lost one career when he was drafted. He lost another part of his health in the United States Army during World War II. Through it all there was something he always kept.

He was a proud, stubborn, silent, self-reliant, strong willed, hard working, and independent man capable of strong emotions which he had difficulty expressing. He was never comfortable with his words or his feelings, but he was always comfortable with his hands and the fruit of their labor. When one of his sons needed expensive medical care at a time when health insurance was non-existent, he managed somehow to keep the bills paid and groceries on the table. When his son needed tutoring to keep from dropping behind in school, he was able to pay a teacher with garden vegetables and home canned goods. When his son needed blood transfusions, he was able to go, hat in hand, to his friends and business associates asking them to give a pint of their best. Yet, he always remained part stranger even to those who loved him.

At different times he was and did all of the following: soldier, watch repairman, sewing machine repairman, mechanic, carpenter, small businessman, deputy sheriff, truck farmer, bootlegger, used car dealer, school board member, notary public, housebuilder, and landlord. He supported his family with as many as five self-employed jobs at a time. A year before his death he acquired a Graduate Equivalency Diploma to make up for his having to quit high school twenty years before.

He was also, at different times, a son, brother, husband, friend, and father to the different people who cared about him. His widow remembered that he frequently recited the twenty-third psalm as he drifted off to sleep.

He left behind him two sons and two daughters. Today, six of his grandchildren grace the face of the earth with their smiles and peels of laughter. If it is true that "by their fruits, ye shall know them" then, we know Henry Gray to have been a good and fruitful man.

Journal of Ida Belle Davis, 1913 to 1918

This journal belonged to Ida Belle Davis. Certain things seem to be written in another hand, as if the notebook was used for silent conversation. Some things are written {upside-down}.

---

Ida Belle Davis

Southside, Tenn.

March 6, 1913

Miss Mattie Harvey

Cunningham

Route #1, Tenn.

Miss Mallon Lawrence

Cedar Hill, Tenn.

Route #5

Mr. Claude O. Lacey

Vancouver

Washington

21st infantry

Company A

Richard Lynn Gray (1945-2003)

Mother: June Patricia Ellis

Father: Henry Clay Gray

Richard Lynn Gray

Obituary

Richard Gray

Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Newcomer Family Funeral Home for Richard Lynn Gray, 57, formerly of Topeka, who died Wednesday Jan. 15, 2003, at his home in Kansas City, Kan. He had been ill for a few days.

He was born Aug. 18, 1945, in Wichita, to Henry Clay and June Patricia Ellis Gray. He spent his early life in Topeka, where he attended Belvoir Elementary School and graduated from Highland Park High School in 1963. He graduated from Kansas Technical Institute in 1975 and from Washburn University in 1986. He earned a master's degree in social work at The University of Kansas in 1989. He lived in Kansas City, Kan., for more than eight years.

During his 35-year career as a social worker, he served children and their families through Kansas Neurological Institute, Stormont-Vail Regional Medical Center, Rainbow Mental Health Facility and state agencies. He was an adjunct faculty member at Washburn University for six years. He worked for Swope Parkway Health Center in Kansas City, Mo., and Change of Heart Inc., as a licensed clinical social worker. He was a presenter and coordinator for social work conferences.

While in Topeka, he was a volunteer rape counselor for the Topeka sexual assault counseling program, an advocate for the Battered Women's Task Force, a counselor for the Can Help Hotline and a facilitator for Parents Anonymous. He had performed in several local theater productions.

He was a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers, Mensa and Toastmasters International. He married Loreen Loux in 1964 in Topeka. They divorced.

Survivors include a son, Michael Robert Clay Gray, San Francisco; a daughter, Shelley Gear, Kansas City, Mo.; a brother, Kenneth Gray, Topeka; two sisters, Marcy Bowen and Linda Streeter, both in Topeka; and two grandchildren.

Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the organization of the donor's choice.

Source: CJonline.com

Letter from Aunt Bertha, 1975

This is a copy of the letter of information from Aunt Bertha, written on March 19, 1975.

Grandpa Ellis's (James Franklin) father was Lymon Ellis. I do not know his wife's first name nor her maiden name either. They had seven children: Frank, Charlie, Sam, George, Dan, Lydia and Maggie. Grandpa (Lymon) died very suddenly, dropped dead in his yard. Grankdma (his wife) lived to be around 80 and lived with some of her children until her death.

Charlie married Esther Warner (sister of Arvilla Melvina W. Ellis). I think they had only two children--Frank & Charlie. Charlie drowned in one of the Great Lakes. I do not think he was married. Frank's wife's name was Phoena. They had two or three children. Lydia married a man named Gray and they lived in Arkansas. I do not know about their children, only Berniece, who visited Grandpa and Grandma once. Lydia died in Arkansas.

Maggie married a Dr. Oliver and I do not think they had any children.

This may not be all correct but is as I remember it. You will know about Grandpa's and Grandma's family. If you could get Grandpa Lymon Ellis old Family Bible, it probably has all this and more in it. Grandpa gave it to Harry and then Mamie sent for it to get the Family Record, so either some of Harry's kids or Mamie's have it.

James Franklin Ellis was born in Thornton, Ill., Cook Co., on March 31, 1860. Died Oct. 1, 1939.

Arvilla Melvina Warner was born in Green Garden, Ill., on May 5, 1862. She died on Sept. 24, 1935.

They were married on Nov. 30, 1882, in Joliet, Ill..

Vernon LeRoy Ellis was born in Thornton, Cook Co., Ill., on March 20, 1885. Died April 30, 1970.

He married Bertha K. Corfman. She was born in Whitewater, Kans., on March 26, 1885. They were married in Wichita, Kans., on Oct. 14, 1909. Their two children were James Harold and Delbert Corfman Ellis.

James Harold was born near Burns, Kans., on Dec. 7, 19?1.

Delbert Corfman Ellis was born near Potwin, Kans., on Nov. 28, 1913. (See another sheet for information on Harold and Delbert and their families.)

Grandma's (Arvilla Melvina) father was "Thart" Warner, I think this was a nickname and the right name probably was Thariat Warner. I do not know his wife's first name nor her maiden name. They had at least four children, but may have been more. I do not know their ages. They were Arvilla, Esther, "Washy" (probably Washington), and another sister. I do not know her name, but that there was another sister. Grandma Warner lived to be 80 yrs. or more. Her husband died younger. This is about all I know of her family.

Letter from Eleanor to June Gray, 2 Feb 1976

Febr. 2, 1976

Dear June:

I'm sure you will be surprised to hear from me, just hope I have your correct address. Don't know if you ever run into Arvilla or hear from her now that they live in Topeka or not. Our Tom and his wife are there, too, but I don't believe they see Arvilla and Lawrence very often. We were down in October for a short weekend visit. Tom & Emily came up in November and our entire family, except the 3 little grandchildren, went on a deer hunting trip in Western Nebr.. We really had a lot of fun and they finally got 3 deer. Then Tom was up the weekend after Xmas, Emily was sick with a bad cold and decided against coming.

It has been a busy time since Christmas. Clark's Mother passed away on Christmas night--she was 92 in Nov.. We'd had her over here on Christmas Eve for oyster stew with us and another daughter who lives here in town. Grandma lived in a Nursing Home just a block or so from us--in fact, our old house was moved off for the building site. So we had her over here frequently. She had not been ill except for a slight cold, but we did know she was not feeling up to par on Xmas Eve. Next morn Clark went up to see her to decide whether or not to take her along to his brother's home (an hour's drive from here) for the family Christmas dinner. He decided she was better but not to take her out in the cold and into all the confusion. We returned that eve about 8 and the N. Home people had been trying to reach us to say she had passed away about 7--just sitting in her chair. He was so glad he had spent about 2 hrs. with her and several other old ladies that morn. We were rather surprised but most grateful that she had not had a long suffering illness. Earlier our own family had all planned to be at Toms's for a belated Christmas on Sunday after, but just before Xmas we changed our plans when we learned one of the other Vets wanted to visit his family in Okla.. So all the kids said they would come here instead. So it worked out that they were all here for the funeral on Sun., the 28th, except for Tom's wife.

Then on Jan. 12, Kay brought her 2 girls up here for us to keep while she and her husband took a week's trip to Texas. They were very good and we surely had a lot of fun. They are almost 2 yrs. old and almost 4, so you know I was busy. Tim is here at home now and really enjoys children--makes me think of Dad--so he and Clark helped out a great deal of an evening.

Clark and I plan to leave on Febr. 14 for a trip to Okla. and Texas. We are riding along with his isster and her husband and also a spinster sister who lives here in town. We intend to drive to Okla. City the first day, so I've written Frank & Dorothy to keep the eve free and go to dinner with us. Am not sure how far south we'll go, probably at least Houston or San Antonio, nor just how long we'll be gone. It will be fun to get away for a while. Clark and I lived in Okla. City for over 2 yrs. when we were first married while he was in Service and we still have frieneds there whom we'll hope to see.

Perhaps you can guess by the enclosed papers that I'm trying to compile a little more of the family history. I've been more or less doing this for a year or more, then just last week learned from Frank that he's decided it is time he gets something down for his kids to remember. So Arvilla mentioned to him that I'd been working on it. It doesn't seem that there is much here regarding any of you kids and your families, just your birthdates listed in the old Family Bible which Della Mae copied on the copy machine. So I would appreciate your writing down as much as you can regarding your children, their birthdates, weddings, children, etc., and also for Lyman's and Maydean's families. Can you check that out and do it for me? You can see by the typed sheet regarding my family sort of what I'd like to have.

How is Lyman doing now? And Maydean and her family as well as yours? Surely hope everyone is keeping well and doing fine wherever they are. Please tell them all hello for me.

Clark and I had a wonderful vacation trip to Hawaii and Calif. last February. He had hernia surgery late in Jan. and was required to be off work for quite a while, so he scheduled that to give himself time to recuperate pretty well, and then we joined a local tour group of about 80 people and had a marvelous time. We were over there for 10 days, toured 4 Islands, then had four lovely days in Los Angeles visiting a cousin of his, as well as Della Mae and Al, and Claudine and 'Red'. They all really gave us a great tour of the City and area. Believe Clark may have met Della Mae one time, but it must have been almost 30 yrs. since I'd seen them. It was really fun. Hope we can return to Hawaii some time, but there are a lot of places we have never been. Don't think either of us cares much about touring Europe, but there are several states we have not seen. Four years ago we had a great two week with these same sisters of Clark's, as well as Howard, the brother-in-law, when we went up to Lake Louise, on out to Vancouver, Victoria Portland, and around. Didn't really have enough time in Victoria so maybe we can get there again. Clark has always wanted to go to Alaska so hope we can do that.

Well, I've rambled on long enough, so guess I'd better quit and get something started for supper.

Will appreciate your doing this for me and will send you more information on Della Mae's and Claudine's families after they send it to me. Thanks so much.

Love, Eleanor

"With Friendly Folk" by Geo. F. Fullinwider: Illinois Families Made Butler Home

From Warner album

(Della Mae made a photocopy of this clipping from the Butler Co. News or the El Dorado Times, date unknown.)

With Friendly Folk

by Geo. F. Fullinwider

Illinois Families Made Butler Home

On On Washington's birthday, Febr. 22, 1900, James Franklin Ellis and Joseph Condell and their families left the old home on the farm near Chicago Heights, Ill., with their families and belongings and entrained for Kansas. Two days later they landed in Butler County, and this has since been home to both families. Mr. Ellis bought the old Bishop farm at Hopkins Switch and for years engaged in farming and stock raising. He still owns the farm. He and Mrs. Ellis now reside with their daugher, Mrs. C. L. Cook, and family at 801 South Alleghany, in El Dorado.

Mr. Condell located near El Dorado and engaged in farming and stock raising. He reared a fine family. Of these, Miss Elizabeth Condell is a nurse in the city schools; William Condell, the eldest son, ahs for years been superintendent and manager of the fine Hereford interests for Robert H. Hazlett at Hasford Place and has faithfully conducted the responsibilities of that position; the youngest son, Robert is connected with the C. E. Powell Grain Company. The parents passed away several years ago.

Mr. Ellis has attained prominence in Fairview Township, after more than thirty years residence as farmer and stock raiser, and always commanded the respect and confidence of the entire township.

He has been quite unfortunate, however. On July 29, 1916, a lighted cigarette stub thrown into a wisp of hay, started a disastrous fire that burned a fine new barn, and nine other outbuildings; in fact, cleaned up the barnyard and all improvements except the dwelling and besides the buildings burned several horses, a mule and all his farm equipment, entailing a loss of several thousand dollars, with comparatively light insurance. Mr. Ellis was alone on the place, except for a boy hand on the place. Mr. Ellis tried to extinguish the fire and worked until he was exhausted and fell in the yard where he was found. It nearly cost him his life.

Later, in October the same year, his aged mother was taken ill in the old home in Illinois and he went to her bedside. At that time he had 60 hogs, most of them just ready for market. While he was with his mother, the hogs were taken sick and began dying. He was called home to attend them but lost the entire herd. Hogs at that time were worth about $17 per cwt. on the market, so this item was a heavy loss. The passing of the years, however, has in large measure restored his broken fortunes and he rejoinces today in good health and a disposition to take matters easier than for many years.

On Nov. 39, 1882 [sic], Mr. Ellis and Arvilla Melvina Warner were married and began life in the Illinois home. Theirs has been an ideal home life. To them have been born four children, three sons and one daughter. They are Verne L. Ellis, Divide, Colo.; Mamie, now Mrs. C. L. Cook; Nelson O. Ellis, both of El Dorado, Kans.; and Harry W. Ellis of Peabody, Kansas.

(The photocopy of the article was not complete from this point on, but the final paragraph continues--referring to Mrs. Ellis and her broken hip).

------the age of seventy years usually experiences a serious time with such an injury and she did suffer greatly but the injury healed nicely and Mrs. Ellis and the whole family rejoice over her complete recovery.