Jane Gray

December 27, 1944-August 3, 2016

Jane, known as Janie to her family, left this earth to be with her Lord and Savior on August 3, 2016 after a courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis. She was promoted while surrounded by her family in her home. During her illness, Jane never complained. If asked, "How are you?" she always replied, "I'm doing great. Tell me; how are YOU doing?” Her positive attitude was an inspiration to all. Jane was born on December 27, 1944 to C. Robert and Margaret McBrier in Richmond, Virginia. In her early years, she lived in Florida and New Jersey, and then graduated from Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda, Maryland. Jane went to Penn State University where she pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma and graduated with a degree in Math. Janie then became a stay at home mom, not only to her own children, Rick and Quay, but to several foster babies, as well. She later earned her Teaching Certificate at San Jacinto College and went on to teach at the Beverly Hills Pasadena Intermediate School, and then at Seabrook Intermediate School where she taught for for 17 years. Janie met the love of her life, D. Kim Gray, at the Singles Group at Clear Lake Presbyterian Church. Though Kim would have liked to wed his bride earlier, Janie, ever the dedicated and responsible teacher, insisted that she needed to finish grading her students’ exams before the wedding and honeymoon. They married November 23rd, 1979, blending their families of Rick, Quay, Katherine, and Kimbrough. Together, the family enjoyed their summer vacations to Janie’s parent’s home on Kiawah Island, South Carolina. There, the family would join Janie’s sisters, Quay and Poppy and their husbands, her brother, Chick, her niece, Meg, and her nephews, Tim and Dan, in playing in the sun and surf, collecting sea shells and sand dollars, crabbing, and card playing. Cinder, the family labrador retriever, was even included in the annual family pilgrimages to Kiawah. She never let the anyone venture far from her sight, doggedly insisting upon swimming circles around the family as they collected sand dollars in the ocean. Emulating St. Francis of Assisi, Janie adored all animals; her love for them a dominant thread that ran through the fabric of her life. She bred dachshunds, boxers, labrador retrievers, and Chinese pug dogs, as well as Siamese cats. In addition to these, her chosen furry children, Janie also had a wide variety of birds, including canaries and cockatiels, an African Grey, a Goffin Cockatoo, and a Quaker Parrot. Janie also cared for countless injured and/or homeless animals, taking in many stray cats, including one who promptly gave her a litter of kittens, and rescuing many wild birds, and even (transiently) a rabbit. Janie and Kim have been extremely generous and steadfast in their contributions to many charities, mission organizations, and various ministries including Mission Aviation Fellowship, World Team, Compassion, and Young Life. The couple also became heavily involved with Young Life after Keith and Pat McClung introduced Jane and Kim to Jack and Diana Wisdom in the 1980s. Jane and Kim gave not only financially, but they also gave of their time and of their hearts, even traveling to Colorado several times to attend Frontier Ranch. Janie retired from teaching in 2004, allowing more time for her to delve into her passions. She traveled both near and far with great frequency to visit her children and her grandchildren, Preston, Parker, Bliss, Lauren, Daniel Parker, and Kylee. She and Kim also enjoyed many cruising vacations with friends, Bill and Barbara Purcell; and, despite being a Penn State alumni, Janie joined Kim and the Purcells in their ardent support of the Texas A & M Aggies, attending many football games together. Through lunches and movies out with both new and old friends, Janie, the nurturer, tended to her relationships with great care. Janie loved the Lord with all of her heart and was a founding member of Good Shepherd Church in League City. She faithfully attended several Bible Studies at both Clear Lake Presbyterian and Good Shepherd Churches and was a faithful prayer warrior. She honored God by growing beautiful Hibiscus flowers in her own yard; and both sharing and growing her own knowledge of her care of plants, Janie spent many years in the local Hibiscus Club, even holding office. Throughout the years, Janie also enjoyed crafting with her hands, creating many uniquely beautiful Christmas sweatshirts, sewing everything from drill team uniforms to Hawaiian shirts for her kids, and cross stitching intricate pictures. Janie was blessed with the gift of caring for others, especially those who couldn't care for themselves, and her tenacity made her a mighty force to be reckoned with. Janie championed many causes including her faith and politics, and she advocated for people and animals in need. The multitude of cats, dogs, and birds that came and went from the Gray household were loved by Jane and received the best of care.

Janie leaves behind her loving husband Kim, children Dr. Rick McLean, Drs. Quay and Josh Garriga, Katherine Gray and Kimbrough and Lisa Gray; grandchildren Parker McLean, Bliss and Lauren Garriga, Preston and Parker Brown and Kylee Gray; sisters Quay Peters and Poppy Lesti. She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Charles McBrier, II. The words of Shakespeare describe Jane best ~ "And though she be but little, she is fierce.” Through 17 major surgeries that left big scars on a tiny body, she endured with such amazing strength. Janie demonstrated Philippians 3:14 with grace: “I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God’s heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus.” We will be supporting one another with a visitation Friday, August 12th from 5-8pm at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home at 6900 Lawndale Ave, Houston 77023. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 13th at 10:30am at the same location. The celebration of her going to heaven will be held at Brady's Landing, 8505 Cypress St, Houston, TX 77012 immediately following the funeral service.

In honor of and celebration of Janie's life, please wear bright colors to any and all of her services.