Audrey L. Gray, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away on Thursday, July 8, 2010, at her home in Yukon, Oklahoma. She was born on 11-5-1919 in Picher, Oklahoma, to H.L. and Sarah Heil. She was the 5th daughter born to that union and sister to 4 younger brothers. Audrey worked at Tinker AFB as a Rosie the Riveter during WWII. She married Frank Gray on 12-27-45. They moved from Hugo, OK to south OKC to raise their two daughters. She was a great cook and loved to go fishing and vacation at Galveston, TX. She enjoyed a good laugh and was the heart and soul of her family. She was well known for her April Fools' jokes. Some of her favorite activities were watching Cardinal baseball and OU football, playing the piano (by ear), gardening, completing puzzles, playing yahtzee and solitaire and going to her grandchildren's activities. Audrey was a very kind, generous, and compassionate person. She had a giving heart and always made time for others. She provided child care in her home for many years, and her grandchildren loved having sleepovers at her house every weekend. One of her lifelong dreams was to have enough money to build an orphanage so that every child would have a safe and loving home. She is preceded in death by her parents, 4 sisters, 3 brothers, and her loving husband, Frank Gray. Those left to cherish her memory are brother, Dan Heil; daughters, Andy Nowlin (Jack), Carol Tarkington (Gary); grandchildren, Kim Churchill (Warren), Jonas Meza, Annisa Chesnut (Sam), J.J. Nowlin (Sheryl); and 6 great-grandchildren, McKenna and Aubrey Churchill, Carson and Evan Chesnut, Karly and Jenna Nowlin; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends. She faithfully loved the Lord with all her heart and was a member of the South Yukon Church of Christ and former member of Southwest Church of Christ. She was obedient to God, Christ and the Holy Spirit through continued use of her spiritual gifts of mercy and serving others. We know that Christ lives, because shelived as He did. She has ascended to heaven, and a service celebrating her life will be held at Advantage South Chapel on Monday, July 12, 2010, at 10:00 A. M. Interment will follow at Sunny Lane Cemetery. The family would like to thank Terry Martin and Virginia McDonald at Nina Willingham for their love and support and Dr. Steve Drabek for his compassionate care through the years. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the children's charity of your choice.

Published in The Oklahoman on July 11, 2010