Leester Gray

Leester Gray passed away peacefully on Saturday May 04, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.

Leester Gray was born on January 1, 1938, to Magaline Newton and Phil Croom in Tarry, Arkansas. She received Christ at an early age and devoted her life to caring for her 12 children and others. She loved singing in the choir, dancing and cooking. When asked what was her greatest accomplishment and what she was most proud of, she said “All My Children.”

Leester loved her family, church, and her precious friendships. Her true passion was cooking. She honed her craft over the years by sharing her recipes with family and friends and cooking for Sunday dinners, holidays, and gatherings. Her specialty was her famous peach cobbler. Which she passed down to her children. She lived her life with no regrets. 

She was preceded in death by her husband: Charlie Gray, mother: Magaline Newton, father: Phil Croom, two daughters: Loretta and Marilyn Newton, two sons: Rufus Beard and Donnie Burt, three grandsons: Kevin Darrough, Avelye Simmons, Jr and Fred Gray, Jr two brothers: Fred Anderson and Peter Croom, two sisters: Magaline Traylor and Bobbie Marshall.

Left to cherish Leester’s memory are five daughters: Velma Beal (Anderson) of Detroit, MI, Teressa Gray of Hot Springs, AR, Linda Beal (Clyde) of Detroit, MI, Lisa Simmons of Pilot Point, TX Melissa Dalland of Gilbert, AZ, three sons: Chester Gray of Hot Springs, AR, Frederick Gray (Pat) of Austin, TX, Avery Simmons (Yolanda) of Detroit, MI, two sisters Naomi McNair of Austin, TX, Armagene Moore of Flint, MI, one brother: JD Croom of Moscow, AR. 28 Grandchildren, 59 Great Grandchildren,

13 Great, great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.