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Memorial Ceremony: 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Memorial Visitation: 5 until 7 p.m. on Wednesday evening, July 8, at the funeral home
Sharon Ann Gray, age 82, of Flora, Illinois, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Thursday, July 2, 2026, at Clay County Hospital.
She was born April 4, 1944, in Salem, the daughter of Jason Leslie and Mildred Anna (Markham) Cook. On February 3, 1980, Sharon married Paul Michael “Mike” Gray, beginning a journey together that would span 46 wedding anniversaries and countless treasured miles.
Sharon lived with a generous heart and a natural way of making others feel welcome. For nearly 25 years, Sharon was a familiar and friendly face at Flora IGA, where she had a way of turning a simple stop at the store into a chance to visit a bit and brighten someone’s day. In 2002, at the age of 58, Sharon earned her associate’s degree in business administration from Frontier Community College while working at HELLA Electronics, where she eventually retired in 2007.
Sharon enjoyed the simple blessings of life, and she also loved the great adventures she and Mike shared together. Their trike motorcycle carried them through 49 states and several provinces in Canada, each trip bringing new sights, new stories, and good memories along the way.
Closer to home, Sharon often played cards at the Senior Center and treasured the friendships she made there. She was also part of the Yo-Yo Sisterhood Group and was a past president. Faith was a cornerstone of her life, and she was a longtime member of Flora First Methodist Church. Sharon was grateful for the steady support, caring thoughts, friendly visits, and laughter she shared with so many others.
Above all, Sharon loved her family. They were the greatest joys of her life, and she leaves them with the precious memory of a wife, mom, and grandma whose heart and home were always open to everyone.
She is survived by her husband: Mike Gray; 8 children: Liz (Bob Coward) Phelps, Wayne (Debbie) Gray, Ron (Angie) Phelps, Renee Robinson, Paula Gray, Tony (Angie) Gray, Jodi (Doug) Gibson, and Steven (Hayle) Gray; grandchildren: Tasha, Trenton, Logan, Blaine, Hunter, Keeley, TC, Kree, and Willa; 9 great-grandchildren; and her first great-great-grandchild, soon to arrive. She is also survived by 2 brothers: Leslie Ray Cook and Dennis (Kim) Cook; 7 step-grandchildren; 11 step-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in passing by her parents; a sister-in-law: Martha Ellen Cook; and her mother-in-law: Bertha Gray.
A memorial ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora with Pastor Mark Smith officiating. A memorial visitation will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. on Wednesday evening, July 8, at the funeral home. Donations in Sharon’s memory are suggested to Clay County Cancer Crusaders, and these will be accepted through the funeral home. To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com
Aug 9, 1934 - Aug 18, 2026
Sep 25, 1935 - Aug 18, 2026
Sep 22, 1940 - Aug 13, 2026
Aug 13, 1935 - Aug 13, 2026
Oct 13, 1947 - Aug 10, 2026
I am so sorry to hear of Sharon's passing. She was a lovely lady with a beautiful smile.
So sorry for your loss. She was a very special lady. Prayers for the family 🙏
Sharon, you will be so missed by so many people, especially of course, by your combined family and all the friends you have gathered along the way. Your Yo yo friends grieve for your loss. You were so positive, with all the medical conditions that weighed you down, you never complained, and every time we met, you had a smile and was so positive. You will be missed. Our sincere sympathy to your family.
Sharon and I shared many good times together. So sorry for your loss. She's in Heaven with all her other friends and family. Love to all. Jane
We are so sorry for the loss of this sweet lady. She will be missed.
So sad. She was one of the nicest people I have ever met. GOD bless Mike and the entire family during this loss.
Prayers for you all. So sorry for your loss
So sorry for the loss of Sharon. Hugs and prayers for Mike,family and friends.
So sorry For your loss. Always enjoyed seeing her sweet smile
Sorry for your loss. Sharon was an very special lady.
Lots of great memories of time spent at Sharon’s during my teenage years! So many late night Chef Boy R Dee pizzas! She will be greatly missed!
So sorry for your loss. She was a sweet lady thoughts and prayers to family
She will always be remembered for her great smile and loving heart. Prayers to the family for comfort at this time.
So sorry to hear of Sharon's passing, always enjoyed talking with her out at the various restraunts, very kind, always had a smile. Mike and family, are all in our thoughts and prayers.
So sorry to here of Sharon's passing. She was a wonderful woman
I am so very sorry. Sending a hug and my sincere condolences to my classmate Liz and to all the family.
So sorry to hear this. She was one fine lady
What a lovely lady. Always pleasant and great to work with. God bless her and family.
It was an honor to know you. One of the sweetest ladies I've ever met. But also a warrior. Fighting for a while. Rest in peace.
My condolences to the family at this time 🙏🤍🙏
Prayers for all who love Sharon. Such a kind and caring soul.
Mike, so sorry for your loss will keep you and the family in our prayers.
Our families condolences, Sharon was one of my dad’s cousins, she was especially kind and generous to me and our family throughout the years. She will be missed greatly.
So sorry for your family's loss.
I frist met Sharon at IGA. Had many years of knowing her and family. What a sweet lady. A good friend she will be missed. Prayers for all the family.
I am so very sorry to learn of Sharon's passing. She was a ray of sunshine 🌞 to everyone. She was nice, funny and genuine. She will be missed so much in the community.
Sharon will be missed by so many people who loved her
Although I'm thrilled for Sharon...sad for all who know and love her!! She is such a bright light....met her way back in the early 90s, during a " parenting class" offered thru FCC...her smile, kindness, quick wit and genuine-ness was a blessing...so honored to have been her friend. Prayers of peace, wisdom and contentment are being said. 🙏
What a wonderful kind woman who loved big. Sharon and her smile & caring heart will be missed by many. Condolences to her family and to husband , our family life long friend Mike Gray. She loved you so much Mike.
Sorry to hear of your loss! Our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family!
She was a wonderful lady who carried herself with such grace. Back in the 80s, I had three small children and frequently shopped at the IGA and paid with food stamps (the kind that were torn out of a book and had to be counted). People behind me in line would scoff and I'd be so embarrassed and she always said, "Don't ever let other people's behavior change your's." I have never forgotten that. Rest in peace, sweet lady. You will be missed.
Mike, Jodi, Steven, and family, I'm so sorry for your loss. Sharon was always a ray of sunshine even if she didn't feel good she always knew just what to say and put a smile on my face!! She will be missed by many!! You told me that it was all in Gods hands and that it would be ok and to that I replied God only takes the best... but now I only wish it didn't have to be so soon!! Fly high Sharon and take your rightful place among the angels. Until we meet again.
My heart goes out to all of Sharon’s family. She is one of those rare people who is completely beautiful inside and out, and shares her warmth from the moment you meet her. I know she will be sorely missed here, but it’s a blessing to know that she is at perfect peace in Heaven, and that through Jesus, we will get to see her again. My prayers for peace and strength for all who loved and will miss her.
We are so sorry to hear of Sharon’s passing. We always enjoyed having her in the neighborhood. We will be praying for you, Big Daddy, during this extremely difficult time. ❤️
My sincere condolence's at the passing of Sharon Gray. Reading about her confirms that she lived a blessed, full life and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Sharon was always the best cashier and friend from IGA
We are So Sorry for your Loss... She was Such a Beautiful Person...
Liz, Your Mom was a special lady! She was always patient with your friends as we grew up together. I know how incredibly proud she was of you because she talked with her friends about your life and career. I know it will be a different world without her in your life, but I pray that you can feel her presence as she watches over you. I love you Liz! Sheila
Such a great loss of the sweetest, kindest lady ever. You brought so much joy to everyone who knew you....rest in peace and God Bless.
This is going to be a really big funeral. What a beloved woman and role model. Sharon is an icon. I was just talking to her at Walmart not much more than a month ago. I wish I could be there to say goodbye. I’m so sorry for all of your loss - to her wonderful family - you are all in my prayers.
My best and my dearest friend and cousin,we walked together to our first one room school house,then to Johnsonville Com, school,then to Flora High School, raised our small children same time; walked many miles together,with neighbor kids on Sunday afternoons later after our children were grown,we. enjoyed playing cards together 🥰 it. Isn't blood lines. that makes. all of us part of the family, but all the memories we shared ,gone but not forgotten, I loved her like a sister. many,many years 😘🙏 love and prayers to all her family
I am so sorry for the loss of a beautiful soul. Prayers for strength to the family at this time of the loss of Sharon. I really enjoyed working with Sharon at Hella.
Wow, so sorry. She is my first cousin. A wonderful, compassionate,caring, sweet and loving lady. She had a beautiful heart.She loved God and now he will hold her in his arms. R.I.P. I 💞 U. Praying for Mike, and the family.
I offer my prayers and condolences to the Gray , Cook . And Phillps, family's. Illinois has lost a kind, loving, and caring person, who has lived a very trying, but interesting life. Rest in peace, Sharon, you deserve it.
We are so very sorry for your loss. Sharon was a wonderful lady, she will be missed by many. We will be praying for you Mike, and all of the kids and grandkids.
So sorry hearing the passing of Sharon. She was a special person and will be missed. Condolences to all the family.
So sorry to hear about Sharon . She will be missed by many . Thoughts and Prayers for all .
To Sharon's family. Your pain runs deep and is felt far and wide. I am a friend of Renees. I was blessed to be in your Mother's presence multiple times. She spoke proudly of all of you. You do know not all Mothers do that. Nothing negative said only Love expressed. You all were TRULY BLESSED. My prayers and thoughts are on you. ( love ya Renee) Deb
Mike,we are so sorry for you and your family we are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.Sharon was a wonderful person and friend she will be dearly missed by so many.
Mike, Liz and all of the family, so sorry. I have known Sharon since I was a teenager when she and Bill and Wanda Gish were friends and she worked at IGA. We became acquainted again when I moved back to the area and we worked together at Hella. The years in between didnt change her, she was as sweet and friendly then as she had been to me thirty years before when i met her. Always smiling, always kind and her sweet spirit and her faith was a bright light and inspiration to all who knew her. I know she's with the Lord now and I'm positive being welcomed with loving arms. You will be missed, dear lady!
My thoughts and prayers are certainly with Mike and family at this difficult time. Sharon was such a special lady —- so kind and caring. She will certainly be missed. 🙏
Comforting prayers to you all. A sweet lady made heaven brighter
Sharon was my second mother growing up. I will miss her dearly and will always cherish her love. Mike, Renee, Ron, Paula, and family, your Mom was a special lady and touched the lives of many. I feel blessed to have known her. She was my second mother growing up. I will miss her dearly, hold tight the fond memories, and cherish the love she shared. May you find comfort knowing she’s in the arms of Jesus.
Sharon was a wonderful lady. I spent many hours at their house in high school and she was always friendly and kind and welcoming. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Deepest sympathy to your family.
So sorry to read of Sharon”s passing! Prayers for Mike and all the family
Sharon, my husband and I will miss you on Sundays and I will miss you at the Monday morning coffees. You were so easy to talk with and you really cared about listening. May you rest in peace.
Sending prayers of comfort and peace for everyone . Sharon was a beautiful kind soul. She has been a great support for me throughout the years. May her light continue to shine in heaven. To Mike,Liz,Ron,Renee,Paula and Wayne and all family...may God carry you all through this difficult time. Much love to you all. 🙏
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers for all of the family.
So sorry for your loss prayers
Mike and family, So sorry for your loss. May she rest in peace.
Mike and family, We are so sorry to hear about Sharon’s passing. She was a very good friend and former neighbor, and I really enjoyed visiting with her whenever we met. Caring thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this saddened time, and we hope all of the good memories shared in times past will remain in your hearts forever. May God bless your family!
Sharon was my team leader at Hella,and she became a very dear friend to both Rick and myself. She will be greatly missed by us and many others.
She was a great friend.
Dennis I am so very sorry for your families loss. Sharon was an amazing lady. Spent many fun times bowling with her. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. ♥️ Kim
Mike, my deepest sympathies to you and your family. Sharon was such a wonderful person, loved by all who knew her. I have fond memories of her starting in high school, then later when we reconnected at high school reunions. My late sister Nancy Wolfe Ginzel, who was a classmate of Sharon, and I often talked about your wife, and what a kind person she was. You hit the jackpot when you married her, and she was equally blessed to have you in her life. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Frank & Bright Funeral Home
and Cremation Services
500 North Main Street
Flora, Illinois 62839
Phone : (618) 662-2141
Fax: (618) 662-4600
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