Barbara Gray

Barbara Crook Gray, 69, of Bauxite passed away at her home on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013. She was born in Rison, Ark., on Jan. 16, 1944. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tomps S. Gray; her son, Peter C. Gray, her parents C.N. "Pete" Crook and Lois Pennington Crook, and her mother and father-in-law, C.E. Gray Jr. and Mary Louise Gray. She is survived by her daughter, Amy Gray Keeland and her husband Phillip of Benton and her son, Andy Gray of Little Rock; her grandchildren, Jordan Gray Keeland and Brooke Elizabeth Keeland of Benton, Anna Elizabeth Johnson of Farmington; sister-in-law, Susan Mary Gray of Birmingham, Ala.; brother-in-law, Logan B. Gray of Montgomery, Ala., and nephews, Robbie and Braxtol Gray. Also, very special and dear friends, Pat Bilbrey of Benton and Daniel and Pam Dodson and their sons of Bauxite. She also left behind her hairy children, Eric and Princess. Barbara graduated from Rison High School and pursued her college education at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia. She was a high school English teacher and spent most of her career at McClellan High School, where she also taught mythology, until she retired in 2011. She loved to read, especially mysteries, enjoyed gardening, and had an artistic flair. Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 27 from 6-8 p.m. at Ashby Funeral Home in Benton with services at Ashby's Saturday, Dec. 28, at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Forest Hills Cemetery in Little Rock. She was the center of our family, a wonderful and loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and a dear friend to many and will be greatly missed. Online guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.