O. Grace Gray passed away peacefully on Dec. 17, 2023 surrounded by her children and several grandchildren. She was born Nov. 6, 1931 to Everett and Thelma Smart in Centerville, IA.
Unfortunately, her father passed away prior to her birth. Until the age of around six she was raised in Princeton, MO, where her family owned the local newspaper. She and her mother moved to Rupert, ID, for a couple of years before her mother married Wilbur Sweet and they moved to American Falls, ID. She graduated from A.F. High in 1949. For her graduation her parents gifted her with a Harley Davidson motorcycle with a side car so she could take her mother on road trips.
She moved to Seattle, WA, to attend business school. She worked in Seattle for a few years before moving to Idaho Falls, ID. She was working for Phillips at the site where she met the love of her life, Robert E. Gray. They married May 23, 1954. They had two children, Robb, Jr. and Robyn Lampert.
After they retired, they moved to Bradenton, FL, to be near her dad. Several years after Bob’s death she moved to Post Falls, ID, so she could be closer to her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. After covid hit, she moved into an assisted living group in CDA, ID, and lived there until her death.
Grace was a lifetime member of the Rebekah’s and a charter and life-time member of OES Chapter 85.
Grace was preceded in death by her mother, both fathers and husband. She is survived by her son Robb (Brandis) Gray, daughter Robyn (Lawrence) Lampert, grandkids Wendy (Zak) Lierman, Whittney (Kyle) Stauffer, Brenda (Josh) Wuest, Spencer (Randi Rae) Gray, Andrew Lampert, and Rebecca (Matt) Gardner and nine great-grandkids.
There will be a graveside service at the Falls View Cemetery, 2938 McKinley Rd., American Falls, ID, Saturday, Aug 17, at 11 a.m. (Please bring your own lawn chair).
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