E. Geraldine Gray

Born July 7, 1918 in Tazewell County to Joseph Earl and Naomi (McBride) Kenney, she married Theodore Harold Gray on April 6, 1935. He died March 31, 1968 in Pekin. She was also preceded in death by her parents, one son (Theodore E. Gray on February 27, 1999), one grandson, two great-grandchildren, two sisters (Vivian Tjarks and Florence Kenney), and three brothers (Burl Kenney, George Kenney, and Richard Kenney).

Surviving are three sons, Joe H. (Sandra) Gray, Ron D. (Barbara) Gray, and Dan L. Gray, all of Pekin; one daughter-in-law, Genola D. Gray of Pekin; eleven grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; one brother, Joseph C. (Helen) Kenney of Dillon; and two sister-in-laws, Marilyn "Boots" Kenney and Joyce Kenney, both of South Pekin.

Geraldine worked as a clerk at Woolworth's Dime Store in Pekin and later for Saal's Patty Cake Bakery in Pekin for 10 years. She last worked for Korsmeyer's Supermarket for 18 years in the deli at the Derby Street store, retiring in 1982.

She was a member of the Congregational United Church of Christ in Pekin, and its women of the church. She was a former member of the Pekin Women of the Moose Chapter 673.

Geraldine enjoyed doing embroidering, playing bingo, tending to her roses, and doing seek-n-finds. She also had square danced with the Keystone Square Dance Club in earlier years.

Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, December 6, 2006 at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Pekin. The Rev. Jan C. Johnson will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel and also 30 minutes before the funeral Wednesday at the church. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to her church, 2200 Willow Street, Pekin, IL 61554.