Shirley Gray

Shirley M. Gray, 77, of Jackson passed away Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014, at her home.

She was born Oct. 6, 1936, in Ferguson, Missouri, daughter of Louis and Marian Deimann Pataky. She and Harold C. Gray were married Feb. 25, 1956, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Bridgeton, Missouri.

Shirley was baptized Oct. 25, 1936, at Old St. Ferdinand Catholic Church in Florissant, Missouri. She worked 30 years from home as bookkeeper and secretary for the family business, Gray Heating and Air Conditioning, in Florissant. After retirement, Shirley and Harold moved to Lake of the Ozarks. In 1998 they moved to Farmington, Missouri, and then to Jackson in 2012.

She still held close ties to St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Farmington, and was a current member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jackson. She was a volunteer and Friend of Old St. Ferdinand's Shrine in Florissant, as well as volunteering at many other places. She was a wonderful cook, and enjoyed helping care for many of her grandchildren.

Loving survivors include her husband of Cape Girardeau; four children, John (Yuliya) Gray of Mundelein, Illinois, Glenn (Brenda) Gray of Jackson, Mary (Steve) Walter of Moscow Mills, Missouri, Michelle (Tim) Sigmund of Abbotsford, Wisconsin; a brother, Norman Pataky of Hazelwood, Missouri; a sister, Barbara Pataky; 16 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother.

Two services will be held.

Friends may call from 1 p.m. until service time Sunday at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. The service will be at 2 p.m.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. until service time Monday at St. Joseph Church in Farmington. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m., with the Rev. Rick Valleroy officiating. Interment will be Monday at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis.

McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau, National Parkinson's Foundation or American Cancer Society.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mccombsfuneralhome.com.