Dicksie Gray

Dicksie Marie Gray, 91, of Pleasant Hill, was born November 16, 1923, in Freeman, Missouri, the daughter of Grover Cleveland and Izetta Lovenia (Foster) Rinker. She departed this life at 9:52 p.m. Monday, May 4, 2015, at her home surrounded with love and family.

Dicksie was a 1941 Pleasant Hill High School Graduate.

On July 29, 1942, she was united in marriage to James William Gray in Belton, Missouri. He preceded her in death on November 27, 2003.

Dicksie had been employed as a bookkeeper for Benson Lumber and had worked at the Lake City Munitions plant. Following the birth of their son Dean, she became a full time homemaker.

She was very active in the Pleasant Hill Community. She was a member of the Big Creek Baptist Church and the VFW Post #3118 Auxiliary. She had been the secretary and treasurer of the Union Baptist Cemetery, and actively involved in both the Class of 1941 Reunion Committee and the All School Reunion Committee. Additionally, she spent many years as an active member of the Pleasant Hill Art League. She enjoyed bird watching, gardening (both flowers and vegetables), and canning. Many family, friends, and neighbors will remember working with her making apple butter over an open fire. She loved puzzle books, playing Skip-Bo, visiting and spending time with her neighbors, and she was an avid reader. Most important to her was family and she cherished all of them dearly. She was a wonderful mom, grandma, sister, & aunt.

Dicksie was also preceded in death by one brother Glenn Rinker.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Dean and Betty Gray of Pleasant Hill; one granddaughter Missy (and Jeff) McKee of Pleasant Hill; one grandson, Mike (and Dawn) Gray of Pleasant Hill; five great grandchildren, Emily McKee, Samantha Gray, Ean McKee, Samuel Gray, and Silas Gray; one step grandson, Donald Lycan of Pleasant Hill; two step great grandchildren, Blake and Brianna Lycan; other relatives and friends.

Visitation was held Monday evening at the funeral home.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 12, 2015, at the funeral home. Pastor Preston Sanders of the Strasburg Baptist Church officiated. Interment followed in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions were suggested to the Pleasant Hill Education Foundation or Crossroads Hospice and may be sent in care of the funeral home.