Glyn Gray

GRAY, GLYN GISS STARLINGServices are scheduled for 1:00 P.M., Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at Dexter United Methodist Church for Glyn Giss Starling Gray, who passed away November 23, 2010 at her home. Pastor Phillip Grassie and Rev. Jim Bignell will officiate. Interment will follow at Woodbine Cemetery in Artesia.

Glyn was born on April 09, 1926 in Bradley, Arkansas to John William Claudia Starling who preceeded her in death.

Those left behind to cherish her memory are two sons, Johnny Gray Donald Gray, her sister, Helen Johnann Starling, of Los Alamos, NM, and Mary Bryant who became like a daughter when she joined the family in 1989. Also surviving are neices, Norma Spoonts Stamps, AR, LaRita Spruell, Bradley, AR, LaVerne Keahey, Maumelle, AR, nephew Tom Burks, Texarkana, AR, and many neices and nephews of the Gray family. She leaves many cherished friends in the Dexter community.

Glyn graduated from Dexter High School in 1944 and attended NM State University to study Home Economics. While there she was a active member of 4H and as a freshman won a 50 dollar scholarship and a trip to attend the 23rd annual 4H Club Congress meeting at the Worlds Fair in Chicago, IL in 1944.

Glyn married W.D. Billie Gray on January 2, 1945 at Dexter United Methodist Church, and they resided in Artesia, NM for the next 6 years where their first son, Johnny, was born. In 1951 they moved to the Starling Farm in Dexter, NM which they bought and it became Gray Farm. A second son, Donald, was born there and Glyn raised her family as a busy farm wife, business woman, and mother, for 59 years.

Glyn was active in the Dexter School PTA and was president for 2 years. She was a member of the Dexter Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school, was chruch school superindent and directed the youth choir. In 1966 she became director of the adult choir, was church historian, and membership chairman for many years.

In 1984 she began substitute teaching at Dexter Municipal School and in 1988 she became a teacher for the Title I program which later became Chapter I. She helped to launch the HOST program in the elementary school where she touched many young lives with her love of teaching and helping others to succeed. She enjoyed the relationship that she shared with the admisistrators, staff and students for 23 years until retirement.

The family would like to send a special thank you to family friends Kelly Lusk, Rose Acosta, Dova Callihan, and Jennifer Devore.

She was preceeded in death by her husband, of 64 years, W.D. Billie Gray, her parents, and four sisters from Arkansas, Cecil Dismuke, Sue Hammon, Christine Puska, Margaret Burks, and two nephews, Jim Puska and John Robert Burks.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in loving memory to The United Methodist Church, PO Box 312, Dexter, NM 88230.

Pallbears will be Sandie Bell, Daniel Sigala, Bob McKelvey, Tom King, Larry Marshall, and Jeff Weathers. Honory Pallbears will be Chuck Coll, Dennis Pabst, Ben Kerr, Marvin Bramblett, Paul Drum, and Frank Compos.

To our lovely lady we write this poem
She works from the first light til the sun sinks in the west
Teaching each person to Do Their Best.
We are all so lucky at the end of each day.
Because of the Sweet Lady, our Loving Mrs. Gray
An additional stanza to this poem well now have to add.
Though in doing so we are exceptionally sad.
The time has come to bid our Sweet Lady a farewell adieu.
Only God knows how much we love and will miss you

Friends may pay their respects online at www.lagronefuneralchapels.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of LaGrone Funeral Chapel.

Visitation

LaGrone Funeral Chapel
900 South Main
Roswell, NM  88203
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
8 AM 7 PM

Service

Funeral

Dexter 1st United Methodist Church
112 West Third
Dexter, NM  88230
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
1:00 PM

Cemetery

Woodbine Cemetery
102 E. Hermosa Dr.
Artesia, NM  88210

Memorial Contributions

P. O. Box 312
Dexter, NM  88230