Donna Mae Gray

Donna Mae Morford Gray, 82, of Belton, Missouri, passed away on January 23rd, 2021 peacefully in her home after a long journey with Alzheimer’s Disease. She was born in Iowa City, Iowa, on June 19th, 1938, daughter of the late Lorraine and Blanche Morford. She was married to the late Robert (Bob) Martin Gray on January 27th, 1957 in Ottumwa, Iowa and they spent 50 happy years together. She is survived by four children and their spouses, Penny and Wayne Robinson, Robert and Crystal Gray, Richard and Jan Gray, and Brenda Gallegos and Don Mosley. She was a sister to three brothers Chuck, Jimmy and the late Johnny Morford and their spouses. She was the proudest grandmother of Bryan Cathey, Rebecca Noll, Amber Keegan, Jessica Gallegos, Amanda Robinson, Matthew Gray, Myranda Gray, Mechaela Gray and her youngest grandson, the late Justin Gallegos as well as eleven great-grandchildren, and she cared for numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Donna spent her youth in and around her hometown of Ottumwa, Iowa. In 1956 she was introduced to the love of her life by her future father in-law at the diner where she worked. Bob gave her a dime for a five-cent coffee and told her to keep the change; three months later they were married, and though friends and family thought them to be crazy, they spent 50 years happily confounding all who believed they’d never last. After spending fourteen years without Bob, she is reunited with him in spirit once more, just days before their 64th wedding anniversary. Over the span of their marriage, Donna and Bob lived in California, Texas and Iowa while Bob served in the military and ultimately settled in Belton, Missouri where they have raised their family for the past 55 years. Donna worked at Western Electric and Family Jewels before she devoted her time to raising her family full-time. Together Donna and Bob were very active in their children’s lives and led the Explorers, Cub Scouts and coached several baseball and softball teams. In her free time, she loved to garden and kept the most beautiful flowers on Lacy Lane. She was a bargain hunter who enjoyed garage sales and stocking up on clearance holiday candy for her grandkids. She was an avid collector and particularly enjoyed searching garage sales for everything from records to coffee mugs and Mickey Mouse paraphernalia. Donna loved sewing, making jewelry and keeping everyones bellies full of the best home-cooking.

A memorial service will be held at this summer with details to come. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Donna Gray to the Alzheimer’s Association - Heart of America Chapter at www.alz.com or sent to McGilley & George Funeral Home c/o Donna Gray Family, 611 Chestnut, Belton, MO 64012. The family is especially grateful to Donna’s good friend and neighbor, Donna Pettit, for the friendship, support and love she has given over the years as well as Carol Wolney and St. Croix Hospice for their care.