Marlynne Gray Obituary

Lynne Gray passed away peacefully at her residence on Jan 8, 2024, after a prolonged illness. Lynne was born in Huntington, West Virginia, the youngest daughter of Mrs. Opal McComas Anderson and LTC. Joseph Lee Anderson (USAF). She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years Jerry Gray and older sister Mrs. Beth Willis, and is survived by her beloved daughters and grandson.

After graduating high school in Tullahoma, Tennessee, she attended Middle Tennessee State College on a music scholarship. She married Jerry W. Gray in 1963, and the couple moved to Athens, Alabama, where Lynne attended Athens State College. Following her graduation from Athens State, she began a long career in education teaching at several schools in North Alabama before finally retiring from J F Drake State Community and Technical College in Huntsville, Alabama, where she taught Accounting and Bookkeeping in addition to running the school newspaper. During her tenure as a teacher, she continued her own education receiving a master's degree from Alabama A&M University, the first in her family to do so.

Lynne was a talented musician, an avid reader, and published author. She enjoyed sports (particularly skiing, running and tennis) and was a devoted supporter of Madison Academy football. She had a wicked chess opening and enjoyed playing the game at every opportunity. Lynne was also a philanthropist who actively supported many charities including The Wounded Warrior Project, The Alzheimer's Association, and Huntsville Hospital. Lynne was an avid supporter of the Neonatal Intensive Care unit (NICU) at Huntsville Hospital, knitting baby beanie hats and averaging at least one hat per day.

Lynne was greatly loved and will be deeply missed by both her family and friends.

The funeral and burial details are still being finalized but will be limited to the immediate family.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer's Association.

Always in My Heart - By Mahatma Gandhi

"There are no good-byes,

wherever you are,

you will always be in my heart."

"The Watcher" by Margaret Widdermer

She always leaned to watch for us

Anxious if we were late,

In winter by the window,

In summer by the gate.

And though we mocked her tenderly,

Who had such foolish care,

The long way home would seem more safe,

Because she waited there.

Her thoughts were all so full of us,

She never could forget,

And so I think that where she is

She must be watching yet.

Waiting 'til we come home to her

Anxious if we are late

Watching from Heaven's window

Leaning from Heaven's gate