Born in Longview, Texas, Mina was the beloved daughter of Mildred Claus and Benjamin Gray. A proud graduate of Longview High School, Class of 1967—Go Lobos!—Mina pursued higher education at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, where she enrolled in the prestigious engineering program.
Mina made history in the 1970s when she became the first woman hired as a chemical engineer at Gulf Refinery in Port Arthur. She continued to break barriers throughout her career, dedicating herself to the fields of engineering and safety management until her retirement from Standard Alloy in October 2013.
On July 4, 1970, Mina married her high school sweetheart, Bruce Oler, and together they built a life full of love, partnership, and resilience. Their 54-year marriage was a testament to their devotion to each other. They raised two daughters, Steyphaney and Shannon, instilling in them the values of education, hard work, and compassion. With Mina’s background in chemical engineering and Bruce’s in business management, their home was always filled with encouragement and support, something their children and grandchildren cherished deeply.
Mina is survived by her daughter Shannon Oler; her daughter Steyphaney Borel; and her son-in-law Shelton Borel; her brother Ben Gray and her brother Vance Gray; her granddaughter Lana Vaughn, her granddaughter Grayce Vaughn, her granddaughter Jolene Parker, her great grandchild Scarlet Janice and her goddaughter Janet Gray Knight.
Mina was preceded in death by her husband Bruce Oler; her father Benjamin Gray and her mother Mildred Claus; her sister-in-law Sandra (Sandy) Gray and her sister-in-law Rebecca (Becky) Gray; and her close friend Sue McMeans.
Mina also leaves behind a host of extended family members and lifelong friends who will remember her strength, intelligence, and unwavering love.
Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched, and she will be deeply missed.
A visitation for Mina will be held Friday, June 13, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Grammier-Oberle Funeral Home, 4841 39th St, Port Arthur, Texas 77642. A celebration of Mina's life will occur Saturday, June 14, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Grammier-Oberle Funeral Home.
Mina will be laid to rest in Greenlawn Memorial Park, 3900 Twin City Highway, Groves, TX.
