Edith Gray

Edith Marie 'Edie' Gray, age 78, of Battle Creek, passed away on October 3, 2018, surrounded by close family members. Edith was born on November 1, 1939, to Pearl and Charles Heacock in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She lived with her 8 siblings, three of which survive her now, Bruce Heacock, Charles Heacock, and Rose Franks, and four of which preceded her into passing Arlene Branch, Joan Anspaugh, Roger Heacock, and Sue Hodges. Edie married Leonard B. Gray on May 30, 1958, spending a happy 50 years married to the man she loved and having four children- two of which survive her now, Randy Gray and Cynthia K. (Victor) Owen, and two who preceded her passing, Patricia S. (Steve) Shemelia in October of 2009, and Michael L. Gray in June of 1986. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Leonard B. Gray, in June of 2009. She retired from Lelia Hospital in July of 1993 for medical reasons after working as a CENA. She enjoyed gardening and being outdoors, making jewelry and going to shows to sell her art; she collected owls, loved a good garage sale, was the first person to help another in need, loved her dog, Buttons, but above all else she loved and adored her grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and lived and loved every day for her family. She never forgot a birthday, or to call and say "great job!" for a good grade. She is survived by 6 of her grandchildren, Jonathan (Jennifer) Owen, Michael (Danielle) Gray, Joshua Shemelia, Matthew (Brianne) Gray, Jacob Shemelia, and Ashleigh (Heidi) Rhodes, along with leaving 9 great grandchildren: J. Michael Dunn, Brandon and Greyson Gray, Ryland Houstin-Shemelia and Elizabeth Hollenbaugh-Shemelia, Jacob and Luke Gray, Emma and Ashleigh (A.J) Rhodes (Holden) and dozens of nieces and nephews who all equally loved her. Not a single one of those children wouldn't be able to sit down and tell you a story about what she taught them, or a story about their family, or a lesson to learn about the good in people even when all they could see was the bad. The family asks that no flowers are sent, understanding that well wishes are intended, they would prefer all money was used for donations to the Humane Society of South Central Michigan. Arrangements by the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.