Edna Blanche Gray

Edna Blanche Gray of Unionville, MO, was born in Putnam County, MO, on March 22, 1917, and passed away at the Putnam County Care Center on April 13, 2018. She married James Verdis Gray on July 10, 1934, and he preceded her in death on April 12, 1994. To that union were born two sons: James Neal Gray and Richard Max Gray. Blanche was the daughter of Orlando Edmond Hawkins and Lillie Louelta (Jones) Hawkins, who preceded her in death.

Blanche is survived by her son, Neal of Unionville, MO; her grandson, Jason Lee (Kim) Gray; her granddaughter Tracy Lynn (David) Holzum; her great granddaughter, Cameron Holzum; and her great grandsons, Kyle Holzum, Connor Gray, and Jessie Gray. She is also survived by a special friend, Vicki Stewart and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Blanche was preceded in death by her son, Richard Max Gray, in 1968. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Roy F. Hawkins and her sisters, Arah Pearson, Grace Shepherd, Helen Trent, Hollace Pearson, and Berneta Followwill; as well as nieces Marjorie Pearson (in infancy) and Wanda Wood; and her nephews Paul Hawkins, Gary Shepherd, and Frankie Capps.

Blanche attended the Anders rural school in Putnam County, MO, and Jr. High and Sr. High schools in Des Moines, IA. She was a farmer all of her life and later worked several years at Con Agra Foods in Milan, MO. Her passions in life were gardening, flowers, and cooking. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Unionville, MO.

Funeral services for Blanche Gray will be at Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, at 11:00 am on Tuesday, April 17, 2018. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Pherigo Cemetery east of Unionville.