Nellie A. Gray

Nellie was born in Farragut, IA to George and Dorotha Jones. She graduated high school in Sidney, IA and then married Donald E. Gray on May 23, 1948. Together they had two daughters, Sandra and Beth. Nellie worked at Mutual of Omaha for 36 years before retiring in 1987.

After retirement, Nellie was known as a personal chef to her grandkids – making them all their favorites upon request. She was also active in her church, spending several summers volunteering for Vacation Bible School and working in the church library. Nellie was full-time caregiver to her husband for many years, and once Don moved to a nursing home you could find her there every Thursday for Bingo. She also fostered a monkey named Cranston for the Helping Hands organization, where Cranston would learn to be a service animal/helper for the disabled. She was an active member in the Red Hat Society and several other groups. Nellie had a love for reading and was never without a book (or three) nearby, including her favorite Winter Solstice which she re-read many times. Her greatest pride were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Nellie was preceded in death by her loving husband Donald, her sister Eva Bloemer, and her brother George Jones. She is survived by her brother Jimmie Jones, sisters Retha Wilson, Betty Doiel, and Judy (Art) Smith; daughters Sandra Gray and Beth Flint; grandchildren Donald Flint, Samantha (Brian) Schwinderman, and Brianne Earley; great-grandchildren Alexander J. Kuhn, Ephraim Earley, and Naomi Earley; many nieces and nephews.