Thelma Jean Gray, age 88, of Russellville, died Sunday, May 25, 2025, at Dardanelle Nursing and Rehab. She was born March 28, 1937, in Russellville, to Lawrence and Lucy Bess Bryan Mars.

In Thelma's early days, she worked for Frolic Footwear. After her children were born, she began her adventure as a homemaker and stay-at-home mom. Once her children were grown up, she went to work for ConAgra for several years until her retirement.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Gray; a brother, Lawrence Edward Mars; and a sister, Reta Greenlee.

She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Charles Keith and Tammy Gray; a daughter and son-in-law, Debra and Darin Gray-Kirkland; three brothers-in-law, Tommy (Jeannie) Gray, Ernie (Sharon) Gray and Gary (Karen) Gray; a sister, Edith Dollar; a sister-in-law, Betty Gray; five grandchildren, Chelsey (Ryan), Shelby (Marty), Jessica, Kaitlyn (Hunter) and Ella (Michael); and nine great-grandchildren, Karis, Callum, Charlie, Greyson, Scarlett, Rose, Aurora, Thomas, Jaxson and one on the way.

The graveside service will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday May 29, 2025, in Bakers Creek Cemetery, with Chaplain Paul Northcut officiating, and under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made in her name to the Arkansas Heart Association, www.heart.org/en/affiliates/arkansas, Children's Hospital, 1 Children's Way, Little Rock, AR 72202, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl, Memphis, TN 38105, or any animal shelter of your choice.

Online guestbook and condolences available at www.shinnfuneral.com.