of Marion, AR

August 13, 1935 - March 27, 2024

Carolyn Ann Downing Gray (88) went to be with the Lord on March 27.

Carolyn was preceded in death by father, Ellsworth Barricklow Downing; mother, Thelma Elise Trice Downing; husband, William Neal Gray and son, William David Gray.

She is survived by brother, Harry E. Downing and his wife, Linda of Nevada, Texas; daughter, Connie Gray Woods (Billy); grandchildren, Elise Woods and Lindsey Elizabeth Woods Amaya (Daniel) of Raleigh, NC; Blake Gray (Karri-Anne) of Conway, AR and Cody Gray of Arlington, VA; great granddaughter, Mila Jane Amaya of Raleigh, NC; great grandsons, Asher and Oliver Gray of Conway.

Carolyn was born in Washington D.C. and graduated high school in Stuttgart, AR and earned a BA in journalism from University of Arkansas and a BS in speech pathology. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa and was a sorority member of Tri-Delta.
As a child of a US. Army colonel, Carolyn attended many schools in her youth but she returned to her hometown high school in Stuttgart, where she was editor of the school's newspaper, following in her father's footsteps as editor.

Carolyn met Neal on a blind date while they were in college and they were married for 64 years.

She was an avid reader and loved teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School when she was a member of Park Hill Baptist Church in North Little Rock and First Baptist Church of Memphis. Carolyn was a member of First Baptist Church in West Memphis.

She loved going on Mission trips and ski trips with Neal and together they loved telling Bible stories to their children and grandchildren. Carolyn loved the outdoors and camping with her family in the Ozarks.

Carolyn had a kind, loving heart and was a joy to be around. Her life was proof positive that she loved and served the Lord Jesus Christ. Her career was a medical administrator for a cardiologist and retinal surgeons. As a passionate sports fan, she loved her Arkansas Razorbacks and the Memphis Grizzlies.

The family would like to thank the administrators and staff at Willowbend Nursing Home in Marion for their kindness and loving care for the final three years of her life.

Visitation for Carolyn will be Monday, April 1st from 10-11 a.m. at Roller Citizens Funeral Home in West Memphis with the memorial service following at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to: Together We Thrive at First Baptist Church, 200 N. Missouri Street, West Memphis, AR 72301.

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