BETTY GRAY

December 11, 1945 - July 25, 2012

Betty Jean Gray, 66, of Kankakee, died Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at her home. Visitation will be Thursday, August 2, 2012 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Lax Mortuary and again on Friday, August 3, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. until time of funeral services at 11:00 a.m. at Second Baptist Church. Burial will be in Mound Grove Gardens of Memory. Betty Jean Gray was born December 11, 1945 in Barton, Arkansas to James and Betty Lee Hooker Bell. Betty was baptized at Christ Temple Church by Reverend William S. Hill and was a member of Faith Deliverance, where she served on the Mothers Board. She was united in Holy Matrimony to Henry L. Gray on January 23, 1980. She worked for Ultra Food, in the Deli, and had been a manager at Nightingale, The Party House and Show and Tell. She leaves to cherish her memory, two sons, Melvin Jones and Carl Springer both of Kankakee, IL; five daughters and one son-in-law, Karen and Edwin Perla of Los Angeles, CA, Sandra Jones of Kankakee, IL, Jacqueline Jones of Houston, TX, Lawanda Rodgers of Memphis, TN and Monica Gray; two brothers, James Bell of Minneapolis, MN and Larry Bell of Kankakee, IL; five sisters, Fannie Fulcher and Shirley Bell both of West Helena, Arkansas, Everlena James of North Little Rock, Arkansas, Ruby Turner and Mary Bell, both of Kankakee, IL; her mother-in-law, Mattie Gray of Stone Mountain, GA; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Samuel and Celeste Gray of Loma Linda, CA, Delois and Tommie Smith of Stone Mountain, GA and Nebraska Gilmore of Kankakee, IL; one aunt, Lydia Frieson of Saginaw, MI; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; special friend, Melvin Fulton, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband; one son, Michael Jones; three sisters, Dorothy Pankey Gilmore, Charlene Watson and Brenda Bell-Few; four brothers, Henry L., Elijah, Kelvin and Steve Bell; one grandchild, LeVail Jones; a brother-in-law, Leon Pankey;a companion, Charlie Jones and special friend, Eddie Rodgers. Betty will be remembered for her outgoing personality and her spirit of caring and giving.