Helen Lucile Moore Gray

Helen Lucile Moore Gray was born September 2, 1915, in Greenbrier, Arkansas, to Carl Elliott Moore and Helen Wozencraft Moore. Her paternal grandparents were one of the pioneer families in Conway, Arkansas, and helped found the Presbyterian church there. She passed away on March 30, 2016.

After graduating from Arkansas State Teachers College, she taught in Bowlegs, Oklahoma, before returning to Arkansas to marry her high school sweetheart Layton Gray on October 5, 1941, at Central Presbyterian Church in Conway. They were married for 64 years before Layton’s death in 2005 and enjoyed life fully together.

Helen taught English at Ramsey Junior High School for several years and is still remembered as a wonderful teacher and strict grammarian by her students. She was an active member of PEO Chapter F. Her faith was the cornerstone of her life. She and Layton joined First United Methodist Church in 1941 and became members of their beloved Gleaners Class. Helen served on the Board of the church and on the Altar Guild and was a member of the United Methodist Women and Ruth Circle. She was very proud of and grateful for her role in helping to form the Friends Sunday School Class in 1976 and serve as teacher for many years. This group remains a dynamic class today. Bible study was an integral part of her life both at home and in formal classes. She was active in Bible Study Fellowship and Disciple Bible Study.

She rounded out her long and busy life at Willow Brook Retirement Center, serving on the Residents’ Council there and enjoying and loving Jane Stouffer, her caregiver for several years, and at Methodist Nursing Home, where she was well loved and cared for by all.

She was preceded in death by her husband Layton and sister Frances Moore Gunnels. She is survived by her daughter Ann Scott Gray Winters and her husband Robert; a step-grandson Matthew and great-grandson Joseph Mark Winters; one sister Anne Moore Tiebel; and scores of loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. Helen Lucile Moore Gray will be remembered as a handmaiden who loved God, her family, and her friends and who mastered gracefully every stage of life.

A celebration of life will be held Tuesday, April 5 at 2:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church. The family will visit with friends following the service in the church narthex. Honorary pallbearers will be her beloved Friends Class and PEO Chapter F. Cremation and service are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church, 200 N. 15th St., Fort Smith AR 72901; the Helen and Layton Gray Scholarship Endowment at UAFS Foundation, 5210 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith AR 72913; Community Service Clearinghouse, 4420 Wheeler Ave., Fort Smith AR 72901.