1934-2023
Carolyn June (McAbee) Gray, age 89, passed away on Sunday, October 29, 2023.
A private family service will be held for Carolyn June Gray.
She was born on September 26, 1934, in Rocky, to Henry and Maine (Cunningham) McAbee. Carolyn married the love of her life, Jerry Gray, October 24, 1953. In 1954, Jerry was drafted into the U.S. Army. Carolyn followed, and while Jerry received his basic training in San Antonio, she found work at Carl’s Department Store and attended Percy’s Business College.
After basic training, the couple relocated to Puerto Rico, where they enjoyed 17 months of new adventures during his station there. After his service, they returned home to Rocky, where they resumed farming and started their family.
In addition to raising a family, Carolyn worked part-time at Jack's Flowers during the 1970s. After Jerry’s passing in 1980, she accepted the position of manager of the Hobart Chamber of Commerce, where she served from 1985-96.
During her tenure, she forged meaningful friendships and took great pride in her work in the community. Upon retirement, Carolyn devoted herself to her favorite pastime, gardening. Her garden became a source of solace and joy.
She spent Saturdays with close friends, sharing her flower expertise, attending flower shows, and visiting nurseries. Carolyn was a woman of remarkable strength, determination and self-reliance — an independent spirit who held a deep, abiding trust in God — qualities which serve as an example and will be remembered by all who knew her.
Survivors include: her loving children, Lana Farris and husband, Tip, and Steven Gray and wife, Starla; three grandsons, Tyler Pankratz, Logan Gray and wife, Kelsey, and Reagan Gray; sister-inlaw, Linda McAbee; brother-in-law, Larry Wise, and including nieces, nephews and friends.
Carolyn was preceded in death by: her husband, Jerry; her parents; and her siblings, infant brother, Jerrel, sister, Cheryl Wise, and brother, Henry McAbee.
