Bequita Bumpers Gray

Bequita Bumpers Huggins Gray, 93, of Little Rock passed away August 28, 2017 peacefully in her sleep surrounded by her family. She was born to the late Lorenzo Glen and Floy (Flanagan) Bumpers on June 23, 1924 in Charleston, Arkansas. In early childhood, Bequita and her family moved to Paris, Arkansas. In her senior year of high school, she was not only a Homecoming Maid but also the Salutatorian of the class of 1942. Bequita attended State Teachers College in Conway and later the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. With the family's theater business, the Bumpers moved to Vian, Oklahoma. There she met Miller Huggins. Bequita and Miller married October 16, 1949. Two children followed: Heather Ann and James Glen. Tragedy struck the Huggins in January of 1970. Miller and the two children perished in a house fire with Bequita surviving. Rebuilding her life, she became involved in her cousin Dale Bumper's campaign bid for Governor in 1970. Following his election, Bequita moved to Little Rock. Charles Henry Gray, her first boyfriend from Paris, and she began life together as they married May 12, 1972. Charles Henry passed away in March of 2003 and Bequita remained in Little Rock until her death. Throughout Bequita's life in Oklahoma and Arkansas, she was active in multiple church and social organizations. She taught children's vacation Bible school as well as Sunday School. Bequita was a member of many Bible studies and she and Charles Henry were active in First United Methodist Church in Little Rock. Being a gifted alto, Bequita was a dedicated member of the First United Methodist Church Chancel Choir. She also loved and enjoyed her weekly bridge games with close friends at Little Rock Country Club. And, Bequita and Charles Henry loved to dance! Mrs. Gray is survived by her sister, Bernese Bumpers Carey Stephens; her niece, Jana Carey Merideth (Baughn, Sr); great-nephew: Baughn Thomas Merideth, Jr (Randi); great-niece: Caroline Merideth Tipton (Michael) all of Caruthersville, Missouri. Step-daughters: Ann Gray James (Richard) of El Dorado and their children: Andrew James (Sarah) and William James (Katherine) and Gretchen Gray (Tim Dater) of Little Rock and her children: Gray Norton and Elise Riedel (Alan) and the late Mary Britton Norton. Step Great-grandsons, Hank Gray and Chad Gray, sons of Charles Henry "Hank" Gray III, who preceded Bequita in death in July of 1996. Bequita also leaves a host of cousins she dearly loved. The family wishes to thank her special Little Rock friends who continued to visit and provide support with love and devotion. A note of appreciate to the staff of Woodland Heights, First Choice Senior Care and Kindred Hospice of Little Rock. An extended word of thanks to Always First In-Home Care of Caruthersville and Legacy Hospice of Kennett, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to the First United Methodist Church Chancel Choir, (Little Rock). The funeral will be held Friday, September 1 at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church of Little Rock. Reverend David Freeman will officiate with Reverend Michael Mattox and Reverend Kathleen McMurray assisting. Interment will follow Friday afternoon at 4:30 in Vian, Oklahoma at the Garden of Memories. H. S. Smith Funeral Home of Caruthersville and Ruebel Funeral Home of Little Rock are in charge the arrangements. www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.