Robert G. “Bob” Gray
Robert (Bob) Gordon Gray passed away on Friday night, August 7, 2015, in his home with his loving family and HOSPICE ANGELS registered nurses of Pine Bluff, AR, Susan Padgett and Lisa Woolley, who provided loving, attentive comfort care that exceeded above and beyond expectations, at his side. The Gray/Millenbaugh family rejoices in the amazing Christian life Robert (Bob) Gray was privileged to live. We feel very honored, privileged, blessed and grateful to have been loved by this wonderful Christian man and cherish all of the amazing lives he loved that we know and ones we do not know. He was a native of Donaldson (Hot Spring county), Arkansas. He was the son of the late Carl Goza (mother) and A.J. Gray (father).
Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Carlene Fitzhugh Gray; brothers, Fred David Gray (Juanita) of Hot Springs, AR, Billy Max Gray (Gloria) of Gonzales, LA, and Waymon Goza Gray of Donaldson, AR. He is survived by his daughter, Diana Gray Millenbaugh (Bud) of Pine Bluff, AR; granddaughter, Alexis Gray Hiemenz (Charles, Jr.) of St. Louis, MO; dog companion, Sophie (Maltipoo), of the home; grand-dogs, Sadie (Maltipoo) and Millie Beethoven (St. Bernard) and dog-cousin, Sweetie (Maltipoo); brother, Zack Mason Gray (Jessie) of Bryant, AR; sister-in-law, Mary Jo (Mrs. Waymon Goza Gray); nieces and nephews, Karen Gray Bean (Brian), of Hot Springs, AR; Kathy Gray Finley, of Little Rock, AR; Karla Gray (Jackie Batts) of Charlotte, North Carolina; Zack Mason Gray, Jr. (Elianne), of El Paso, TX; Shirley Gray Wright (Barry) of Nashville, AR; Bill Gray (Lisa) of Gonzales, LA; Myra Gray Hughes (Ricky) of Donaldson, AR; Pam Gray Bodine (Norman) of Springfield, MO; and Rhonda Hebert (Mark) of Lafayette, LA; and numerous other nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. Bob is also survived by his dear friends Lee and Norman Klappenbach of Fordyce and Sarajane and Joe McCormick of Bryant, members of our Daily Call Forwarding prayer-devotion group and ABC Prayer List. They spent numerous hours providing loving care and assistance in every way.
Bob retired from Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in 1995 after 45 years. He and his wife, Carlene, moved 11 times in their first year of marriage, living in a Field-Stream camper, while he worked in construction for Southwestern Bell prior to becoming a full-time employee. He worked as an installer in Ashdown, Hope, Hot Springs, and Malvern; installer/repairman in Benton; manager in Wynne, Hot Springs, and Benton where he retired as manager of residential services. After one year of retirement, he began work with Cable Recovery Company in Texas, retiring in 2015.
He served two years in the Korean War. He was a sergeant in the 10th Army Signal Corp. While in Korea, he rose to rank of sergeant and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal and a Purple Heart. He was stationed in Korea from 1954-1955. When he returned to the United States he was given an Honorable Discharge. Bob loved his country and prayed daily to strengthen its Christian values.
He was an active member of Holland Chapel Missionary Baptist Church for numerous years until unable to participate due to poor health from Polycythemia Vera and Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He supported the church financially and worked with business affairs of the church. He was outspoken in a Christian manner, wanting what was best to reflect Christ-like ways, not afraid to voice his opinion, trying not to offend others and knowing that sometimes he did.
Bob and his daughter, Diana, had many discussions about his wishes that his obituary not be so much about him as about thanking everyone who had a part in his direct and indirect care, and who supported him with prayers. The family would like to express our sincere appreciation to his incredible caregivers and supporters:
Dr. Joseph Beck and staff-Ericka Rafter, front desk; Marilyn Jones, front desk; Ronnie Stone, office manager; Karen Oliver, RN; and Patricia Harris, lab tech. They gave wonderful, expert care as they guided his Acute Myeloid Leukemia treatment and assisted Bob to live his last days the way he wanted to, as he said, “I’ll do it my way.”
Dr. Bill Tranum (retired)
Dr. C.D. Williams and staff-Leslie Williams, RN, Lori Holden, Practice Manager, Amber Bradley, Administrative Assistant, Sandy Milton, CNA, and Mary Womack, insurance.
Dr. Jacqueline Sue Frigon and Sherry Carnes, APRN
Dr. Charles William Denton, Radiologist and staff
Dr. Joe Dunaway and Dr. Candy Stewart Dunaway and staff: Lisa Ashley, x-ray tech; April Barnett, medical records; J. Rene Cauthron, lab tech; Amanda Chavers, receptionist; Anita Cowan, LPN; Revelta Davidson, LPN; Payton Duff, CMA; Norma Edgmon, LPN; Tabitah Fritsche, Patient Accounts; Kailen Jones, Medical Records; Kellie Kitson, Medical Records; Scott Kuykendall, Physician, Melissa Masterson, LPN; John Mcauley, Physician; Melissa MInniear, LPN; Patricia Noble, Receptionist; Felicia Olberding, Lab Tech; W. Darlene Pratt, Admin; Angela Storment, Receptionist; Marci Tolman, CMA; William Williams, Physician; and Eric Zeyloth, CMA.
Dr. D. Alec Linley, Infectious Diseases
Dr. John Dietrich, Infectious Diseases
Dr. Rivero and staff
Dr. Omer Khalil and staff-Jill Carlson, Darsha Walden, Carolyn Clak, Linda Bruns, Dana Kohrs, Beverly Reese and Sharlene Hardester
Dr. Matthew Kagey, Dermatologist; Tracey, RN and staff
Dr. Chris Steijen and Dr. Shafi Nahid, Hospitalists, CHI St. Vincent Hospital
CHI St. Vincent 7 East Staff: Nurse Manager, Penny Sikes; Nursing Staff-Sheryl, RN; Brittney RNP; Gaye, RN; Miah, RN; Leslie, RN; Peggy, RN; Laura, RN; Janna, RN; Kaitlin, RN; Deborah, RN; Remena, RN; McKenzie, RN; Florinda, CAN; Marie, CAN; Veronica, Tech; KB, Tech; Koko, Tech; Miesha, Tech; Rachel, EKG; Environmental Service-Alma, Decola, Mary, Valarie and Christine; Food Service-Cassandra, Kim, Savannah, Chartesia, Haley, Mahlea, Owen, Shabreaumma, Eugene, Tameshia, Ruby, and Janet; Dietician and Dr. Shyann Renfree; Transport Service-Carl; Admissions, Barbara; Patient Access, Jessica; Oncology Massage Therapists, Johnnie Minor, MTI, CLT and Teresa Fellner.
CHI St Vincent Infusion Center: Iola, RN; Diane, RN; Aminni, RN; Debi, RN; and Linda, Unit Secretary.
Finley Pharmacy (Sharon and Tim Finley, Pharm D), Benton, AR
Chapel Pharmacy (Laura and Mike Stover, Pharm D), Pine Bluff, AR
Dr. Rusty Simmons, Optometrist and staff- Kim Quimby, Jessica Hill, Sharrona Bell, Stacy Cunningham, Connie Bowman, Will Simmons, Jason Hester, Renee Summerville, Misty Price, Alli McDonald, Vania Trujillo, April Dominguez, who fitted Bob with new glasses during his last week of life.
Jamie Ward, The Greg Foundation, Inc., Greenbrier, AR who brought treats to Bob’s hospital room.
Sister Edna Morgan, Methodist minister, who visited often and shared prayer and scripture with Bob.
HOSPICE ANGELS Team who expertly, faithfully, and skillfully maintained the business to allow his daughter, Diana, to remain at his side continuously from May 2015 until his death, August 7, 2015; RNs: Susan Padgett, Angela McDonel, Lisa Woolley, and Rebekah Davis; LPNs: Terry Bateman and Kathy Scott; Administrative assistants; Billie Ricker, (Chaplain and Volunteer Coordinator) and Samantha Rouse; Social Workers: Catrina Horn, LSW and Rosemary White, LMSW; Hospice Aide/Homemaker CNAs; Carolyn Clark, Ashley Cox, Dorothy Givens Johnson, Janice Jones/Banks, Angela Kelley, Jamie Langford, Ora Mays, Sherie Owens Phillips, Consuela Simmons, Linda Walker Harris, and Inita Williams; Environmental Service, Beverly Kennedy.
Prayer groups at the following churches: First United Methodist Church, Pine Bluff, AR; Atasocita United Methodist Church, Humble, TX; First United Methodist Church, Humble, TX; First Missionary Baptist Church, Mabelvale, AR; Crossroads Baptist Church, Haskell, AR; St. Joseph Catholic Church, Pine Bluff, AR; Shannon Road Baptist Church, Pine Bluff, AR; Watson Chapel Baptist Church, Watson Chapel, AR; St. Mary’s Catholic Church, North Little Rock, AR; First Baptist Church, Bryant, AR; Prayer Warriors in Texas: Glenda Carriere, Mary Drawmer, Cissy Carlson, Julie Rodeheaver, Marlece Davis, Dolly Smith, LeeAnn Hyatt, Susie Koberlein, Sandra Rietzow, Shirley Meeker, Nancy Bryan’s regular K-4 students and summer school students at Holy Trinity Episcopal School in Houston, TX; and many prayer warriors on Facebook.
Liz and Dennis Winfield, Roger Winfield, and Joe Sims, neighbors and close friends, who visited frequently, bringing food and fellowship, watching out for his safety and well-being.
Mildred Franko, Susan Brown, Sissy Jones, Vicki Taylor, Marilyn Huffman, Ann Cain, Becky and Freddy Koberlin Hendricks, Michelle Koberlin Pruss, Jeanette Alsobrook, Gail Bellingrath, Lori Duke, Pam Milam, Carol Gamble, Wyvonne McDonald, and Joe and Candy Dunaway who all went above and beyond by contacting Diana regarding her father’s condition and outcome; and many others unknown to us.
All of his friends, co-workers and employees of Southwestern Bell, AT&T, and Cable Recovery who frequently called, sent cards, and visited.
Engineers and construction employees who frequently called and visited.
John Shepherd, Shepherd Florist, Pine Bluff, AR for the gorgeous floral arrangements.
Smith-Benton Funeral Home staff- John Bagby, Jeri Lynn Davenport, Dana Goshien, Linda Honeycutt, Stacy Weaver, and Becky and Sam Ballard for their special attention to his end of life services.
A Celebration of Life, officiated by his daughter, Diana Lynn Gray Millenbaugh and Rev. Mike Morey, including indoor Military Honors, will be held Thursday, August 13, 2015 at 1:00 P.M. at Smith-Benton Funeral Home, 322 N. Market St., Benton, AR 72015 with Reception Visitation immediately following. Food will be provided by Holland Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, HOSPICE ANGELS team members and Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Burial to follow at Smith-Rosemont Cemetery.
Pallbearers: Jim Bobo, Tony Brown, Randy Carter, Mike Dorsey, Billy Max Gray, Zack Mason Gray, Jr., Charles Hiemenz, Jr., Dr. Ricky Hughes, J.D. Little, Mike McCright, Gary Moore, Steven Rogers, Jim Skillern, and Jerry Winkler.
Honorary Pallbearers: John Abernathy; Gail and Mac Bellingrath; Gerald Bishop; Norman Bodine; Tina Burr and staff of Mimi Nails in Pine Bluff, AR; Mike Carson, Linda and Taylor Eubank; Tim Finley, Pharm D; James, Mildred, and Sonia Helen Franco; Mark Hebert, Debe and Jack Hollingsworth; Sissy and Murphy Jones; Jim Kelly, Beverly Kennedy; Glenda and Mark Klappenbach; Heidi and Tim Klappenbach; Karen Klappenbach; Lee and Norman Klappenbach; Paul Klappenbach; Lisa and Dr. Kim Kosmitis; Sam McAdoo; Laurie, Jamie, and Jay McAfee and Pine Bluff Country Club staff; Joe McCormick; Debbie and George Makris; Pam and Bubby Milam; Rosalind and Kirby Mouser; Judy and John Pease, Scott and Adam Robinson; Tracy Scott; John Shepherd; Joe Sims; Susan Spikes and John Taylor; Allyson and Travis Thompson; Liz and Dennis Winfield; Roger Winfield; Bonnie and Gaines Williamson; Meredith Wineland, PA; Dr. Susan and Sam Womble; Shirley and Barry Wright; and Yoakum, Lovell, and Co., PLC.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to HOSPICE ANGELS, 3801 Camden Road, Chapel Village I, Suite 12, Pine Bluff, AR 71603.
As everyone knows, this is a very challenging time to remember everything. If your name is omitted, please accept my apology. Omissions are unintended.
Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.