Kay Co., OK - Obits: Maria Frances Gray

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Maria F. Gray, longtime Ponca City area resident, died Wednesday 
afternoon Jan. 6, 1999, at the Ponca City Nursing Home. She was 103. 
  An evening vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. Friday at St. Mary's 
Catholic Church with the Rev. John J. Michalicka, officiating. Mass of 
Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, 1999, at the 
St. Mary's Catholic Church with the Rev. John J. Michalicka as 
celebrant. Burial will follow in the Newkirk (Okla.) Cemetery under the 
direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. 
  Maria Gray was born Nov. 24, 1895, in Ottawa, Ill., the fourth of 
nine children of Joseph J. and Gertrude (Conrady) Leven. The family 
moved to Blackwell in 1905 before moving to Ponca City and then 
settling in Newkirk where they farmed for many years. After completing 
her high school education she went on to nursing school at St. Frances 
Hospital in Wichita, Kan. She graduated as a registered nurse in May of 
1923. 
  She was married to Lyman Gray on Dec. 27, 1923, in Newkirk. He 
preceded her in death in June of 1948. When her children were grown she 
moved to San Antonio, Texas, to keep house for her brother Bishop 
Stephen Leven and for Msgr. Martin. She was employed there until the 
age of 80, when failing eyesight forced her retirement. She returned to 
Ponca City in the 1970s. 
  She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, St. Helena's Guild, 
Benedictine Oblates, and the Legion of Mary House in San Antonio, 
Texas. 
  Surviving are five children, Gertrude Yanora, of Wichita, Kan., Betty 
Jean Darling, of Mountain Home, Idaho, L.D. Gray, of Vinita, Stephen A. 
Gray and John Joe Gray both of Ponca City; 55 grandchildren, 21 great-
grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren and two great-great-
great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in 
death by her parents; three brothers, Joe, Stephen, and Frank; and 
three sisters, Gertrude, Katy and Rosa. 
  Casket bearers will be Donnie Gray, Stephen L. Gray, Paul Gray, Mike 
Gray, Tommy Gray, and Greg Gray. Honorary casket bearers will be 
grandchildren of Mrs. Gray. 
  Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Mary's School 
Foundation P.O. Box 1330, Ponca City, OK 74602. 

Taken from Ponca City News article