in memoriam
expanded eulogies
Marjorie Lucille Gaines Gray
Marjorie “Marge” was born in Newton, KS, at her Aunt Linda and Uncle Jack Gaines’ home on August 1, 1927. Her parents were Joe and Ernestina (Tena) (Weber) Gaines.
They lived on the Watchorn Corner Oil lease in Summit Township, Marion County. Two brothers, Ronald and Harvey, welcomed her to the family. Her Dad worked in the oil field and their family milked cows and sold milk to the neighbors.
She had many fond memories of growing up in a lively, hard-working family on the farm. There was always plenty of work and plenty of laughs. Later, Reeta and Mary Jane, and Joseph (J.D.) joined the family.
She went to the Summit Country School District. #51 for 8 years (Sept. 1933 – May 20, 1941) and then attended Peabody High School, graduating May 18, 1945.
She met Fordyce William (FW or Bud) Gray in high school and they were married Nov. 27, 1949, in the Methodist Church in Peabody. She then joined FW on the family farm. They celebrated 65 years of marriage before he passed December 12, 2014. They had three sons: Lewis (Loretta) of Great Bend, Ernest (LouAnn) of Peabody, and Douglas (Doris) of Hutchinson.
With declining health, she and Fordyce had to leave their farm home and move into Peabody Care Center in August 2009. Marge passed away peacefully on May 20, 2019, in Peabody.
Marge prized her relationship with parents, siblings, children and grandchildren. She rarely missed an extended family get-together, putting on many herself. She enjoyed reading, cooking, and was well known for her skill as a cook. She always had large vegetable and flower gardens. She was active in her Church Circle, Home Demonstration Unit, and Bloodmobile drives to name a few.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Reeta and brother-in-law Don Gillet, her brother Ron and sister-in-law Maude, her brothers Harvey and Joe (J.D.) and her brother-in-law Warren Olson.
She is survived by her sister Mary Olson and sisters-in-law Mary Beth Gaines and Gwen Gaines. Also surviving are her son, Lewis (Loretta), her grandchildren Misty (Mark) Straub and their children Makenna and Makeila of Great Bend; Landon Gray and his children, Katy and Bryce of Hutchinson; Crystal (Peter) Kautz and their children, Amelia and Eric of Lawrence. Also surviving is her son Ernie (LouAnn), grandchildren Russell and his children Austin, Seth, Lucas and Robert of Kansas City; Chris (Stephanie) and their children Tyler, Kylee and Cody of Kansas City; Curt (Kristin) and their children Claire and Caleb of Wichita, and grandson Scott of Kansas City. Also surviving, her son, Doug (Doris) and his children, Michael of Washington, DC, Matthew of Hutchinson and Thomas of Hutchinson.
A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m., Friday, May 24, at the Peabody Methodist Church in Peabody, Kansas. The family will greet friends prior to the service from 10 to 11 a.m. A private family inurnment will occur at a later time.
A memorial has been established for the Peabody Methodist Church and the Good Shepherd Hospice of Newton. Petersenfamilyfuneralhome.com.