Mary Beth Gray

Longtime Abilenian Mary Beth Gray died November 17, 2010. Mary Beth was born to Harry A. Franklin and Mary Cooper Franklin in Cisco, Texas November 10, 1918. The family moved to Abilene a few years later and she attended school in Abilene, graduating from Abilene High School in 1935. She married Alrich Gray in 1937 in Abilene. Over the following years she was a homemaker and mother to three children. After her children were grown, Mary Beth worked in the retail business for Brown's Records and Waldrop Furniture. On moving to Ft. Worth she worked for Rowland's Music and subsequently managed the music department for Leonard's Department stores. On returning to Abilene, she worked for Minters in River Oaks and was then named manager of the newly opened Minters in Sweetwater. Following their retirement Mary Beth and Alrich moved to Granbury. While there she created a substantial herb garden and became quite an expert in growing and using herbs. She was often asked to speak at various garden clubs in the Dallas-Ft, Worth metroplex and on several occasions hosted the clubs in her Granbury garden. Due to his declining health Mary Beth and Alrich returned to Abilene in 1988. Mary Beth was a charter member of the Greater Ft. Worth Herb Society, Granbury Gardeners, Petal Pushers and Westward Ho of the Abilene Garden Club. She has been an active member of St. Paul United Methodist Church and the Friendship, now Propheteers Sunday School class for many years. The family would especially like to thank the staff, nurses, aides, and attendants of Wisteria Place formerly Sears Methodist Center, Hendrick Hospice, and United Methodist Women of St. Paul United Methodist for their extraordinary care and concern over the past years. Mary Beth was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Cladie Sabin Claunch, her brother, Barney Franklin, her husband, Robert Alrich Gray, Sr., daughter, Penny White, and longtime friend and companion Bill Parsons. She is survived by son Robert A. Gray, Jr. and wife Gayle of Abilene and son Stan Gray and wife Freddia of Cleburne; nine grandchildren, Kim Montana, Mark Gray, David Lane, Elizabeth Doughty, Misty Rowland, Wendy Scott, Suzanne Taylor, Trey Cook, Stephen Cook, thirteen great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. Friday, November 19. Graveside services will be held in Buffalo Gap Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 20. The family suggests that any memorials be made to the Propheteers Sunday School Class of St. Paul United Methodist Church, PO Box 3396, Abilene, TX 79604; Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory St., Abilene, TX 79601; or the charity of the donor's choice.