Elgin-La Grande
1895-1998
Verda O. Gray, 103, a lifetime resident of the Grand Ronde Valley, died Wednesday, Nov. 18, at a foster care home run by Dave and Brenda Hickey in Perry.
A funeral service will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at Daniels Funeral Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh St., with the Rev. Tim Overton-Harris of the La Grande United Methodist Church officiating. Private interment will be at Island City Cemetery.
Mrs. Gray was born June 5, 1895, in Elgin, to William and Hulda Ohms. She went to school in Elgin, graduating from high school in 1913. She married Joseph T. Gray on Sept. 22, 1914, in La Grande. He died in 1963.
The Grays owned and operated a service station. She also worked as a clerk for J. C. Penney’s and as a receptionist for Dr. Ferdinandsen’s veterinary clinic. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in La Grande, and she had belonged to the Cherry Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star in Cove. She enjoyed hunting, fishing and bowling.
She is survived by a daughter, Reba A. Laird of La Grande; a sister, Helen Chandler of La Grande; six grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren, and eight great-great grandchildren. Two daughters, LaNeta Buchanan and Maiva McFerren; two grandsons, and three sisters, Margaret Wiles, Nellie Gurley and Gladys Chadwick, died earlier.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of choice in care of Daniels Chapel.
The Observer
Friday November 20, 1998
Page 3A