Virginia L. (Terry) Gray

Virginia Lerea (Terry) Gray, age 99 years, a resident of rural Simpson, Illinois, passed away Wednesday evening, September 18, 2024, at 10:20 P.M. at her home. Virginia was born October 17, 1924 at the family home in the Eddyville community in Pope County Illinois. She was the daughter of Hal and Annie (Palmer) Terry. On March 14, 1947, Virginia was united in marriage to Thomas Glenn Gray at the Gilead Cumberland Presbyterian Church near Simpson. He preceded her in death on May 30, 2006. Together, Tom and Virginia leave a family legacy of almost 180 descendants. Virginia is survived by: her children – Terry (Lida) Gray of Simpson, Illinois, Margaret (John) Tanner of Simpson, Illinois, Nancy (Gary) Graham of Benton, Kentucky, Cara (Steve) Crabb of Herod, Illinois, and Dena (Steve) Newcomb of Simpson, Illinois; 22 grandchildren – Penny McCormick, Katrina Snell, Tonia Logeman, Tyler Gray, Terra Lipe, Tom Gray, Tamra Khron, Wendy Ford, Jay White, Johni Stoneburner, John David Tanner, Andrea Saltzman Milner, Jessica Smith, John Byron Cox, Betsy Prater, Jeremy Wallace, Jaylynn Fromm, Laura Winkleman, Stephen Crabb, Stephanie Harner, Ryan Newcomb, and Kaylee Adams; 80 great grandchildren; and 33 great-great grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, Virginia was preceded in death by her siblings – Janet Jackson, Vera Lou Hazel, Bill Palmer, and Lillian Gable. Virginia was the former owner of the Empress Beauty Salon in Vienna. She loved to travel and did so extensively both in the United States and in a number of foreign countries. For over twenty years, she coordinated bus tours throughout the United States and operated Virginia Gray Tours. She also sold Tupperware for many years. Virginia was a skilled quilter and had handcrafted over 50 quilts. She was a competitive word game player. She excelled at crossword puzzles, was an expert Scrabble player, and on numerous occasions she was Champion of “Words With Friends.” Her family lovingly recalled that Virginia wore out 3 I-pads playing word games and made friends around the globe through “Words With Friends.” Virginia also enjoyed researching family history and studying genealogy. Virginia had attended the Gilead Cumberland Presbyterian Church near Simpson, as well as the New Liberty Church near Eddyville. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday morning, September 21, 2024, at 10 A.M. at New Liberty Church, 20 Old Tannery Road, Golconda, Illinois. Pastor Tom Gray, Virginia’s grandson, will officiate. A eulogy will be delivered by Virginia’s son, Terry Gray. Burial will be in the Gilead Cemetery near Simpson. Visitation will be held Friday, September 20, 2024, from 5 P.M. until 8 P.M. at New Liberty Church. Memorials may be made to New Liberty Church, c/o Linda Aly, 242 Hazel Road, Simpson, Illinois 62985.

Virginia L. (Terry) Gray

October 17, 1924 - September 18, 2024