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Life Legacy
Elizabeth J. Gray, 1917-2004, Sedalia
Elizabeth Jane ''Betty'' Gray, 87, of Sedalia, died Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2004, at The Essex in Sedalia.
She was born Nov. 14, 1917, in Sedalia, a daughter of Ida Boeck and Thomas F. Gray.
Miss Gray graduated from Smith-Cotton High School. She worked briefly after graduation in St. Louis before returning to Sedalia. She then became a full-time student, studying at Central Missouri State in Warrensburg, where she graduated in 1942 with her teaching credentials. After graduation, she taught elementary grades in Tipton, Richland and at Jefferson School in Sedalia. She then studied library science at Peabody Institute in Nashville, Tenn. Upon her return to Sedalia she was named junior high librarian and later she became head librarian at Smith-Cotton High School. She served as the Smith-Cotton librarian for 30 years, from 1948-1978.
Miss Gray was a lifelong member of Immanuel United Church of Christ. She was a member of Sorosis, AAUW, Retired Teachers Association, Pettis County Historical Society and Friends of the Daum Museum. She also worked as a guide at the Bothwell Lodge. She was a voracious reader, interested in a variety of subjects. She enjoyed traveling both abroad and in the United States.
Soon after her retirement she began taking art classes at Four Seasons and at State Fair Community College. She studied ceramics, water color and painting under Paul Allen and Barbara Cooney. She entered her art work in various shows and won several awards. She was also part of several women exhibits at the Liberty Center. She was juried into the ''Top 50'' at the Missouri State Fair. She used to say painting opens your eyes and makes you see things in a new way. She also was a strong supporter of the Daum Museum at State Fair Community College. She was a member of the Make a Difference Campaign committee to set up an endowment fund for the Daum Museum.
Surviving are a sister Dorthy Gray Reeves; and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by two brothers, Richard T. Gray in 1990 and Thomas F. Gray Jr. in 2002; and a sister Hazel I. Gray in 2001.
Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the Immanuel United Church of Christ, with the Rev. Brady Abel officiating.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Daum Museum or Immanuel United Church of Christ, in care of McLaughlin Funeral Chapel.
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Born: November 14, 1917
Death: December 21, 2004
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This memorial provided by:
McLaughlin Funeral Chapel
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