Carol Ann Gray, 71, of Festus died Nov. 28, 2024, at the Collins House in Festus. Mrs. Gray was a graduate of Sacred Heart Primary School, St. Pius X High School and the Jefferson College nursing program. She retired as a surgical nurse after working at Jefferson Memorial Hospital for 40 years. She loved her family as well as her First Baptist Church family where she was a very active member for many years. She also loved going to local garage sales, walking in Crites Memorial Park in Festus and attending her weekly ladies' prayer group meetings at First Baptist Church. Born July 19, 1953, in St. Louis, she was the daughter of the late Virginia Helen “Chic” (Bradford) and Darrell Leigh Casper.
She is survived by her husband of nearly 53 years: Steve Gray; two daughters: Stephanie (the Rev. Michael) Holland of Festus and Jennifer (Cliff) Reimer of Owasso, Okla.; six grandchildren: Abby, Anna and Andrew Holland, Noah, Claire and Lillian Reimer; two sisters: Anna Hubbard of Springfield, Mo., and Rosanne (Jim) Swyers of Festus; and a brother: Joe Casper of Florida.
She was preceded in death by two sisters: Suzanne Risinger and Mary Ann Wood; and three brothers: Darrell “Gene” (the late Barbara) Casper, Terry Casper and Allen G. Casper.
Visitation is scheduled from 10 a.m. until funeral services at noon Wednesday, Dec. 4, at First Baptist Church of Festus, 107 N. Truman Blvd., in Crystal City, officiated by her son-in-law, the Rev. Michael Holland. Burial will follow in Danby Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Senior Care Solutions, also known as “The Collins House,” in Festus. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus.
