Daisy Gray

Gray, Daisy Prentice 93, of Maud passed away November 24th 2008. She was born August 16, 1915, in Bethany. She graduated from Capital Hill High school in 1933. She was preceded in death by her parents, Julius and Audrey Prentice; her first husband, Johnnie Barnes of Dundee, Texas; her husband, Alvah Gray; her sisters, Lilly Kirby and Crystal Archer; her daughter and best friend, Johnita Starns; her daughter-in-law, Sandee Barnes and her grand daughter, Jennifer Barnes.rnShe is survived by her ?favorite? son-in-law, Jimmy Starns of Seminole; her sister, Katherine Alamada, and husband Gilbert, of Rio Vista, California; a son, Jimmie Barnes, and wife Deborah, of Hoover, Alabama; grandchildren John Starns of Maud, Jimilu Starns and partner Brett Bivin of Shawnee; Allison Barnes Burden and husband Adam of Tampa, Florida; Susannah Barnes and partner Heather Henry of Mukwonago, Wisconsin; Rebecca Barnes of Tallahassee, Florida; and great-grandchildren Bodhi Starns, Rance Starns, Abigail Burden, Adam Burden, Jr. and Anne-Marie Burden. rnMimi, as she was known to her family, was one of the ?greatest generation.? After growing up during the Great Depression, she worked during World War II in a defense plant before becoming a telephone operator for Southwestern Bell. She was chief operator in Maud for many years, and then worked at offices in Seminole and Shawnee. She retired from Southwestern Bell after more than 30 years of service.rnShe married Alvah ?Pappas? Gray of Maud in 1954, and they spent many happy years together.rnHer hobbies were sewing, shopping, and traveling, and she did each with great enthusiasm. Upon retirement she spent many hours making baby clothes and blankets, which she donated to Children?s Hospital and other charities. She could shop with the best of them and rarely missed out on a bargain or an opportunity to find one. She loved to travel, especially to visit family and friends, and a trip with her was an adventure for all involved. rnShe was devoted to her community and donated many handmade quilts to be raffled for various causes. Mimi was a founding member and instrumental in establishing the Maud Nutrition Center. rnShe was as good a mother, grandmother and great grandmother as one could hope for. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.rnThe family would like to express its appreciation to the care givers who gave her assistance and comfort and enjoyed doing crafts with her, Wanda, Kim, Linda and Glenda and to Angelic Hospice and its caring and thoughtful staff.rnrnPrivate family services are under the direction of Knight-Swearingen Funeral Home in Maud, Oklahoma. Funeral Information: November 27, 2008, 12:00 AM