Nancy Gray

NANCY GRAY Nancy Gray, 58, of Plano, Texas, a former Atlantic resident, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 4, 2009, at the Presbyterian Hospital in Plano, Texas. Nancy was the daughter of Lewis Tennis and Velma Mae (Bishop) Gray, born on August 11, 1950 in Iowa City, Iowa. She grew up in Atlantic and graduated from the Atlantic High School in 1969. She worked in various customer service positions.She will be remembered by her family as follows: "She had a personality like Florence Nightingale. Very nice, full of cheer, and made us feel good about ourselves. Nancy was also a dainty person and one of her nicknames was Fancy Nancy. She loved Atlantic, Iowa and one of her dreams was to retire in Atlantic when the time came. She was an artist at heart, loved drawing, and was an avid collector of art and memorabilia that portrayed her African American Heritage. Her love for memorabilia carried over to her love of collecting antiques such as furniture and lamps." Her sister, Violet adds, "Please let it be known to the gatherers that we rejoice to know that she is in the presence of The Lord." We loved her very much and will remember her daily in devotion." Surviving are five sisters, Violet Jackson and husband Thurman of Moreno Valley, CA, Janice Josey and husband Guy of Silver Springs, MD, Connie and Shirley Gray of Plano, TX and Crystal Smith and husband Bob of Missoula, MT; one brother, Dale Lewis Gray and wife Chang A. of Edgewood, MD; nieces and nephews, Guy Josey, Jr. and wife Tracey, Derrick Josey and wife Kathie, Brandie Lee Gray, Ginger Jackson, Ryan Gray, Victoria Smith and Ashley Smith-Houge; four great nieces and nephew, Trevon Johnson, Tatiana Roberts, Noah Josey and Brayden Houge; cousins, Willie Spires and family (Herndon), Betty Jo Parker and family, the Walker family, Carolyn, Ward Jr., Eileen, Mural, Gary, Denise, Pam and Kelley; the James family; Clarence; and numerous other cousins; her aunts, Helen Walker of Omaha, NE and Julie Bell of Denver, CO; her uncle Stonewall Bishop of Denver, CO. Nancy is preceded in death by her parents and her close aunts, Bettie James, Mary Sue Bishop and Charlotte Brown.Dear Sister, Your First Few Days in HeavenDo you see the many homes of your family and friends below,With tiny lights, like heaven's stars, flickering on the snow.The sight must be so spectacular. And we try to wipe away our tears,For we know you are spending eternity with Jesus Christ, Sister dear.Do you hear the many songs that people hold so dear?But the sounds of music can't compare with the heavenly Choir up there.No words can describe the joy their Heavenly Voices bring,For it is beyond description to hear the angels sing.You know how much we miss you. Can you feel the pain in our hearts?But you know we are not far away, and we are really not apart.We will be happy for you today, you know we hold you dear.And we will be glad for you spending eternity with Jesus Christ, Sister dear.We each send you a special gift from here to heaven above.We each send you a memory of our undying love.But "LOVE" is the gift, more precious than pure gold.It was always most important in the stories Jesus told.We will love and keep each other, as our heavenly Father said to do,We count the blessings and his love he has for all of us.So, have a joyous day and we'll wipe away our tears.We'll remember you are spending eternity with Jesus, Sister our dear.May God bless our family and the families of our friends. An adapted prayer for Nancy GrayFuneral InformationThere will be an open visitation Saturday from 8:00 to noon at the Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic and from 8:00 AM to 7:00 P.M. Monday and Tuesday, January 12 and 13. Friends are welcomed to attend Nancy's committal service to be held at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, January 14 in the Atlantic Cemetery. Jim Roland will officiate. Nancy's family plans to gather for a memorial service, giving tribute to their sister, at a later date.BORN August 11, 1950 ENTERED INTO REST January 4, 200958 years, 4 months and 23 daysGRAVE-SIDE SERVICE Wednesday, January 14, 2009Ten-thirty in the Morning Atlantic Cemetery Atlantic, IowaOFFICIATING Jim Roland