By james art 
Lorena E. Gray, 80, of Old Ripley, IL, died Saturday, October 19, 2024, at her home.
She was born Saturday, January 1, 1944, in Dayton, Ohio, the daughter of Raymond and Geraldine (nee Eddingfield) Shanks.
On Tuesday, December 18, 1979, in Urasoe, Okinawa, Japan, she married Irving L. Gray, who survives.
She was a member of the Salem United Church of Christ, Alhambra, IL, and the Bond County Farm Bureau.
Lorena grew up in Xenia, Ohio and attended Xenia schools. After graduation, she earned a business degree from Miami Jacobs College. She worked at Air Force Logistics Command headquarters at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Fairborn, Ohio, eventually becoming a member of the commander’s staff, planning trips, conferences and meetings with distinguished visitors. While in this job, she earned a master’s degree in logistics management and supervision from Central Michigan University. In 1979, she left Wright Patterson to go to Okinawa and married Irving. At the end of their tour in Japan, the Gray’s moved to Scott AFB, IL. While there, Lorena achieved a dream, unable to bear children, Lorena and Irving adopted three children from the same family. She also achieved a second dream by buying a farm. Gray subsequently moved to New Jersey, South Carolina, and back to Wright Patterson AFB, where Irving retired. They returned to their farm in Illinois, where they eventually built their own house. They raised calves until a storm with straight-line winds destroyed their outbuildings. In her youth, Lorena was active in 4-H. Lorena is a skilled seamstress, cook and can milk a cow.
Survivors include:
Husband – Irving L. Gray, Old Ripley, Illinois
Son – Jason (Alana) Gray, Keller, TX
Son – Brian (Sarah) Gray, Chesapeake, VA
Son – Jonathan (Colleen Kimbrough) Gray, Dixon, TN
Daughter – Jodi (Tony Renta) Bush, Dixon, TN
Grandchildren – Six
Sister – Nancy E. (Joe Brochas) Hess, Centerville, OH
Sister – Cathy D. (John) Mixon, Riverside, Ohio.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Pamela A. Bright.
Arrangements are being handled by Dauderman Mortuary in Alhambra, IL.
Visitation will be Thursday, October 31, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM at McCollough Funeral Home, Xenia, OH.
A memorial service will be Thursday, October 31, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at McColaugh Funeral Home, Xenia, OH.
Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Xenia, Ohio.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Highland Lions Club or Salem United Church of Christ.
