Mrs. Betty Gray

A memorial service for Betty Beverly Brust Gray, 86, of Henderson, will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home, Henderson, TX, officiated by Rev. Michael Blake. Visitation will follow the service at 11:00 a.m. Mrs. Gray passed away on Friday, January 2, 2015 at the Hawthorne Greenhouse at Buckner Westminster Place in Longview. Betty was born on July 30, 1928, in Rogers, Arkansas, to Charles August and Bess Brust. Raised in Henderson, Texas, she graduated from Henderson High School in 1945 and attended Texas State College for Women (TWU) earning a B.S. degree in occupational therapy in 1948. While in college Betty became a Christian, and upon graduation from TSCW attended a post-graduate program at Multnomah School of the Bible in Portland, Oregon, graduating in 1949. Upon returning to Texas, she met Delbert Gray at Central Presbyterian Church, and they were married there on February 2, 1951. After caring for her children at home for several years, she worked for the Texas Department of Public Welfare in Children’s and Adult Protective Services and as a Juvenile Probation officer for Rusk County. She then returned to school at Stephen F. Austin SU and became a Licensed Master Social Worker-Advanced Clinical Practitioner, working as Director of the Rusk County Indigent Health Care program, and as the Social Worker for Henderson Memorial Hospital and for East Texas Treatment Center, and Laird Hospital in Kilgore. Mrs. Gray was a member of Westminster Bible Church of Henderson, where she taught Sunday School for many years. When her children were in school, she was active in the PTA, serving as President at various campuses. She was also active in the Rusk County Gideons auxiliary and enjoyed distributing Bibles in hospitals and prisons. Upon retirement she served as a volunteer mentor for HISD. Betty was a life-long learner who loved to read, travel and learn new things. She enjoyed hosting Sunday dinners for family and guests. She had an unwavering faith in God and was a true servant of Jesus Christ, ministering to people of all ages and all walks of life. She was a loving example to her family, church, and friends, her life on earth fulfilling its purpose “to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” Betty is survived by her husband of 64 years, Delbert Gray, of Henderson, and by her children Marsha Gray Johnson and husband Bob of Bend, Oregon; Wendy Gray of Longview, David Gray and wife Linda of Henderson, and Dinah Gray of Longview. She is also survived by a nephew Terry Brust and wife Karen of Vacaville, CA. Her grandchildren are Lt. Col. Dave Johnson and wife Carrie of Klamath Falls, OR., and Rev. Brian Johnson and wife Kelly of Applegate, OR; also, Aaron Howard and wife Danielle of Tyler, Brent Howard and wife Lyndsey of Tacoma, WA; Cristin Howard Wells and husband Kirby of Henderson, and Anthony Howard of Henderson. Her great-grandchildren are Scarlett, Jude, Georgiana, and Charlie Johnson; Katy, Allison, Emma, and Clara Johnson; Camden and Cadence Howard; Sutton Carey and Olive Wells. Mrs. Gray is also survived by her sisters-in-law Jane Bloomquist and Jean Nelson of Arlington, a brother-in-law Jack Gray of Henderson, and many nieces, nephews and friends. Mrs. Gray will be interred at Lakewood Memorial Park, Henderson, in a family graveside service. The family is grateful for the loving care provided in the home by Mary Louise Oliver, and by the staffs of Emeritus Henderson, and Buckner Westminster Place and Heart’s Way Hospice in Longview. Memorial gifts may be made to Westminster Bible Church, P.O. Box 1143, Henderson, TX. 75653, or The Gideons International, c/o Dr. Jeff Cahill, P. O. Box 1741, Henderson, TX 75653. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5 Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.crawfordacrim.com.

Mrs. Betty Gray

July 30, 1928 - January 2, 2015