Rita Virginia Gray, age 77, of Berkeley Springs, WV, died on Thursday, October 16, 2014.

Born November 1, 1936 in Helen, MD, she was the daughter of the late Benjamin Leroy and Margaret Fuller Abell.

She was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Berkeley Springs where she served as church Librarian and Historian. Rita was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society, a Catechist for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and served as the head of the Liturgy Committee. She was a volunteer with MCEIC and a published author. Rita retired after more than 20 years of service as a home and hospital teacher with Prince George’s County, MD public schools. Rita was devoted to her family and always put them first.

She is survived by her children, Deborah Ann “Debbie” Tippett of Indian Head, MD, Teresa Joy Ratliff of Tucson, AZ, Harry James “Jim” Gray of New London, CT, Benjamin John Gray of Berryville, VA, Christopher Paul “Chris” Gray of Ashburn, VA and Kevin Joseph Gray of Manassas, VA, one brother, Benjamin Abell of St. Louis, MO, 14 grandchildren, Stephen Sarandos of North Highlands, CA, Michael Sarandos of Manassas, VA, Kristen Ridley of Indian Head, MD, William Ratliff of Tucson, AZ, Robert Gray of Bristow, VA, Sarah Gray of Front Royal, VA, Brittany Gibson of North Beach, MD, Meghan Kent of Marietta, GA, Andrew Gray of Loganville, GA, Abigail Gray of Ashburn, VA, Christopher Gray and Joseph Gray, both of Edgewater, GA, Shân West of Fredericksburg, VA and Elisha Bell of Ft. Belvoir, VA, 12 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Harry John Gray on October 3, 2004 and one brother, Michael Abell.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Liberty and S. Washington Streets, Berkeley Springs, WV with the Rev. Fr. Leonard A. Smith as celebrant. Interment will be at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 23, 2014 at Resurrection Cemetery, 8000 Woodyard Road, Clinton, MD.

The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday at Helsley-Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 95 Union Street, Berkeley Springs, WV where the Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m.