Elnora “Jean” Gray, age 90, of Oak Hill, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020 at Oakwood Community Health. She was born Oct. 28, 1929 in Gallia to the late James Howard and Gertrude (Howard) Slagle.
She graduated from Oak Hill High School in 1947 as valedictorian of her class. In 1948 she married the late Walter C. “Junior” Gray, Jr. She held various jobs, such as a switchboard operator at the Oak Hill telephone company, worked at the local bakery and as a bookkeeper for Detty Trucking and G & L Farms. She was a member of the Senior Citizens and the Senior Citizen Club of Oak Hill. She was a lifetime member of the St. Paul United Methodist Church of Oak Hill.
She loved gardening, canning and preserving food in her earlier years. The majority of her life was devoted to raising her five children, supporting her husband and caring for her mother. She also helped care for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed reading, collecting recipes and solving crossword puzzles. Most of all, her fondest memories were holidays with her family.
She is survived by her children, Rebecca “Becky” (Shelby) Scott, of Troy, OH, Nancy (David) Lewis, Greta (late Chester) Hale, Tim (Debbie) Gray, all of Oak Hill, and Heather (Alex) Kilgour, of Jackson; grandchildren, Natalie, Clayton, Richard, Janelle, Ryan C., Ryan K. and Dusty; 14 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and sister, Joyce (Marvin) Curry, of New Carlisle, OH. She is also survived by good friend and former son-in-law, Larry Jenkins and several nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Allison Scott; and sister, Janice (late Don) Crace.
Friends may call Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lewis & Gillum Funeral Home of Oak Hill. Funeral services will immediately follow at the funeral home at 1 p.m. with Pastor Becky Wingo Bowling officiating. Burial will follow in C.M. Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church of Oak Hill, 227 Monroe St., Oak Hill, Ohio 45656. Per CDC guidelines and governor recommendations, everyone is asked to wear a mask while indoors and practice proper social distancing procedures and guidelines. Online condolences may be sent to www.lewisgillum.com