Vernelle Edythe Gray

Vernelle Edythe Gray, 88, resident of Jacksonville since 1966, died Tuesday, January 22, 2013. She was born March 6, 1924 in Centerville (Faulkner County) to the late Edward Earl and Gwendolyn Hammock Shumate. During World War II, Mrs. Gray worked in the Jacksonville Ordinance Plant, later for G.E. in Memphis and retired from Hiwassee Manufacturing in Jacksonville in 1988. She was an avid NBA fan and Bingo player. Mrs. Gray was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Jacksonville since 1966 and a member of the Friendship Sunday School class. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Gray was preceded in death by her sister, Hazel Shumate and brothers, Donald and Dale Shumate. Mrs. Gray is survived by her husband, Oscar Gray of Jacksonville; son, Jimmy Gray (Cindy) of Cabot; daughter, Marcia Dornblaser (Jim) of Jacksonville; grandchildren, Michael Dornblaser (Jen) of Jacksonville, Julie Dornblaser of North Little Rock, Cindy Dornblaser of Jacksonville and Madison Gray of Cabot. She is also survived by her great grandchildren, Hunter and Rhett Dornblaser of Jacksonville; nephews, Dr. Travis Shumate of Union City, Tennessee, Jerry Shumate of Portageville, Missouri and Kenny Shumate of Marion, Arkansas and a host of cousins and friends. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday, January 25, 2013 at the First United Methodist Church in Jacksonville with burial following at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Quitman. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home (501) 982-2136. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church Youth Program; 220 W. Main Street; Jacksonville, Ark. 72076. Please sign the online guestbook at www.mooresjacksonvillefuneralhome.com.