Frances Ann Gray

August 13, 1954 to June 10, 2020

Frances Ann (“Fran”), 65, went to the Lord on June 10, 2020, after an eight-year battle with Multiple Myeloma, an illness that she endured with spiritual grace and dignity. Fran leaves many behind to mourn her loss.

Fran was born on August 13, 1954, to Anthony “Tony” and Henryetta DeLaro and raised on the family farm in Rosenberg, Texas. She attended Lamar Consolidated High School and Wharton Junior College. Fran obtained her degree from the University of St. Thomas where she also met her life’s love, James “Jim” Gray.

In 1976, Fran and Jim married and settled in Fort Worth, Texas. She obtained her first position at John Peter Smith Hospital as assistant director and subsequently joined HEB (Hurst-Euless-Bedford) Hospital in 1978, embarking on a 30-year career in Health Information Management during which she was instrumental in the transition of medical records from paper to an electronic format. Fran was routinely recognized for her many valuable contributions, receiving the Manager of Excellence Award. Also, she was an active member of AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association) and served as president of its Texas chapter. In 2012, Fran retired as Director of Health Information Management for Texas Health Hurst-Euless-Bedford Hospital.

Fran and Jim’s family were complete with the birth of their daughter Kristen in 1989. Fran loved visiting with Kristen at Texas State University, and more recently, they enjoyed a mother/daughter trip to Gruene, Texas. Kristen had a special bond with her mother and, along with Fran’s sister, Sandy, served as Fran’s devoted caretakers during her battle with Multiple Myeloma.

Fran and Jim were inseparable, enjoying big and small moments together - travel to Europe, early morning coffee, and listening to music. Jim was a loving and devoted companion to Fran, commenting that Fran represented the best of them as a couple. Fran was similarly supportive of Jim in his ventures. Fran routinely read her Bible every morning and sent Jim on his way with encouraging words – telling Jim that he would conquer the world – as well as some instruction from the “big book.”

Fran will be remembered for the many qualities that made her special. As a wife, mother, sister, friend, and colleague, Fran was known for her sweet nature, her kindness, her generosity, and the spice in her personality that made her so fun to be around. Fran loved listening to Andrea Bocelli and Frank Sinatra, and she was famous for her homemade spaghetti. Fran was also an animal lover who fostered elderly Golden Retrievers and ensured that her yard was a safe haven for native birds. In her last years, Fran took joy in the companionship of English Cream Golden Retrievers, Daisy and Maggie, as well as the visits of two cardinals she named Bandit and Lulu.

After moving to Houston, Fran enjoyed the friendship and support of her neighbors as well as the Altar Society at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church and the Frostwood Woman’s Club.

In addition to her husband Jim of 44 years and her daughter, Kristen, Fran is survived by her sister Sandra Campos of Rosenberg, Texas and both sister-in-law’s Joyce Krause (Paul), Julie Albritton (Brint), and brother in law Steve Gray – all of the Fort Worth area; and, several nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 15, 2020, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 11720 Joan of Arc Drive, Houston, Texas 77024. Please note that St. Cecilia’s requires that all attendees wear masks. Burial will follow at West Gethsemane Cemetery Hwy 36 1.3 miles north of Highway 59 S in Rosenburg, Texas 77471.

Fran’s family is very grateful to Dr. Robert Orlowski and the staff of MD Anderson Cancer Center for their devoted care. In recognition of their efforts and in lieu of flowers, Fran’s family requests that contributions be made in memory of (Frances Ann Gray “Fran”) to MD Anderson Cancer Center, please designate funds to Dr. Robert Orlowski, VD Myeloma Research Fund. Contributions can be mailed to P.O. Box 4486; Houston, Texas. 77210-4486 or made online at www.mdanderson.org/gifts.