Gray, Ruby M.

Ruby M. “Ma” Gray, age 97, of Floyd, passed away Wednesday, July 16, 2014. She was born to John C. and Bertha Conner Rierson on May 24, 1917 in Check, Va. the youngest of eight children. Mrs. Gray was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Douglas A. Gray, whom she loved and missed deeply.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Bobby L. Gardner; grandson and wife, Bobby L., Jr. and Joy Gardner; granddaughter and husband, Elizabeth and Andy Reynolds; Four great-grandsons, Adam Gray Gardner, Baily Douglas Gardner, Zachary Shane Reynolds and Nathan Ryan Reynolds.

She married on September 29, 1940 and moved to Floyd where she and Douglas owned and operated Gray’s Store. Later, she worked along side her daughter, Mary in Mary’s Beauty Shop. In 1974, they opened the Little Dress Shop, and in 1997, Her granddaughter, Elizabeth joined them. She served the public for 73 years. She enjoyed her work and the people she met.

She loved her Church family at Red Oak Grove and their visits and cards. Her enjoyment was her family, working, gardening and cooking. She enjoyed her many potted flowers ( 200 + ), and picking out black walnuts “ always a busy lady”. She looked forward to special holidays and cooking her large meals, cakes and pies (a bed full ). She always expressed her blessings from God for watching over her all her many years. “I would like to live my life over just as it was. God is good.” Now she has an even better life.

Funeral Services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 19, 2014 at Gardner Funeral Home Chapel with the Reverend Elbert Naff, Reverend Jimmy Cannaday and Reverend Hebron Quesenberry officiating. Interment will follow at Jacksonville Cemetery. Friends may call anytime after 8:30 a.m. Friday, July 18, 2014 where the family will be from 6 to 8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Red Oak Grove Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 513 Floyd, VA. 24091 or The Floyd Fire Department, P.O. Box 33, Floyd, VA. 24091 or The Floyd Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 257, Floyd, VA. 24091.

Online condolences may be made to www.gardnerfuneralhomefloyd.com. Arrangements by Gardner Funeral Home, Floyd, VA. (540) 745-2007.