Constance “Connie” Joann Byrum Gray
On Friday, April 30, 2021, Connie Gray, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away in Ft. Myers, Florida at age 75.
Connie was born on December 26, 1945, in Anderson, Indiana to parents Millard Webster Byrum and Mary Rachel Burgan Byrum. She was the youngest of three, and she and her siblings, Shirley and Jim, spent a few years in Florida, until the family relocated back to Anderson.
She married Larry D. Gray on November 22, 1962. They were married for more than 58 years and lovingly raised three children, Donna, Darrin, and James.
Connie was bright and curious, always eager to learn. She graduated from Madison Heights High School in 1963 and from Anderson College with a degree in Nursing. Connie held several jobs as a Registered Nurse, but many remember her from Dr. John D. Jones’ Office of Ophthalmology. She was his office and surgical nurse for more than 20 years. Later she became an online pioneer when she owned and operated AntiqueKitchen.com, an eBay and Amazon online business, where she enjoyed buying, selling, and shipping all around the world. She permanently retired in 2016 and she and Larry started spending the winters in Florida.
All that knew Connie, knew she couldn’t sit still for long. So even after retiring, she kept busy with caring for grandchildren and enjoyed singing and playing the piano, writing, traveling with her husband, working jigsaw puzzles, playing card games, and reading books. Her favorite activity was spending time with those she loved, including meals with friends, hosting family gatherings, and supporting all seven grandkids at sporting events or recitals.
Connie was a long-time active member of South Meridian Church of God, where she served on several committees and boards, was a gifted Sunday School teacher, and sang in the choir.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Millard Webster Byrum (1914 - 2000) and Mary Rachel Burgan Byrum (1919 - 2016), both from Anderson.
Connie is survived by many who loved her, including her husband, Larry D. Gray, Anderson; her daughter Donna Gray (Jim) Thurston, Providence Forge, VA, their children, Rebekah, Wilmington, NC, and Tyler, Richmond, VA; son, Darrin (Leslie Tinsley) Gray, Fishers, IN, their children, Evan, Noblesville, Shelby, Fishers, and Zachary, Fishers; and son, James (Kirsten Bracht) Gray, Anderson, their children, Benjamin, Troy, OH, and Meredith, Anderson; sister, Shirley (DC) Holloway, Babson Park, FL; and brother James “Jim” Byrum, Anderson.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Wednesday, May 12, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at South Meridian Church of God, 2402 Meridian Street. Arrangements are being made by Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service. Her final resting place will be Maplewood Cemetery at a date to be determined.
There will be a brief time for visitation with family and friends following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made in her name to South Meridian Church of God’s Faith Promise Fund.
All COVID precautions, including masks and social distancing, will be followed. For those who would prefer it, there will be a virtual option to watch the service at https://www.facebook.com/SouthMeridianChurchOfGod or you can access it live through the web page: https://www.southmeridian.org Click ‘Watch Now.’
Post online condolences at www.rozelle-johnson.com.