Obituary of Mary Frances Gray

Mary Frances “Fran” Gray passed away December 15, 2019 in Tumwater, Washington.  She was born October 21, 1927 to Lee Robert Miles and Ivy Bell Miles in the small town of Lanett, Alabama.  She grew up with three sisters and three brothers, and attended Lanett High School.

At age 17, Fran met Army Private Frederick Herbert Gray while he was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, during WWII.  A year later, after the War, she followed him by train to Seattle, Washington, where they were married on February 1, 1946.  They raised four children together, starting in Seattle (1946-1959), eventually moving south to Des Moines, Washington (1959-1972), and finally further south to Tumwater, near Olympia (1972-present). 

Fran had a passion for cooking, both as a hobby and a profession.  She worked for United Airlines in their food preparation kitchen, and for the Olympia School District in the kitchen of Olympia High School.  During the summers, she worked in food preparation at Black Lake Bible Camp and at Millersylvania camps.  Fran loved camping locally, and enjoyed traveling cross country with family and friends.  Her enthusiasm and creativity extended to her enjoyment of sewing, crafting, oil painting, and gardening.

Fran and Fred wound up their careers and retired in their home of 42 years on Trosper Lake.  Fred’s death in 2014 ended their 68 years together.  Fran relocated to a smaller home in Tumwater where she lived until her passing.

She is survived by her sons, Patrick H. Gray (Darleen) of Olympia, Charles A. Gray (Chris) of Imbler, Oregon, and John L. Gray (Carmela) of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; daughter, B. Jean Smith (Matthew) of Tumwater; 12 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; brother, Johnny Miles of Lanett, Alabama; and sisters, Julia Ann Bullard and Pauline Thrower, both of Lanett.  Fran was predeceased by her husband; parents; brothers, William Miles and J.T Miles; and sister, Della Mae Crenshaw.

A graveside service will be held Friday, January 3, 2020, 1:00 p.m. at Odd Fellows Memorial Park, 8302 Cleveland Ave. SE, Tumwater, WA 98501.

A  memorial service will be held Saturday, January 4, 2020, 1:00 p.m. at the church to which Fran belonged, Olympia Hope Community Church, 2425 Black Lake Blvd. SE, Olympia, WA  98512.  Memorial donations may be made to the church at the above address.