Mary Helen Gray

WINTER HAVEN -- The English language was very important to Mrs. Mary Helen Gray, a longtime member of the Winter Haven Public Library Board and 10th-grade English teacher at Winter Haven High School.

"She was a real stickler for grammar and writing," her daughter-in-law, Kathy Gray of Winter Haven said. "She was real eloquent with her writing, and she was a voracious reader."

The community activist and retired teacher for the Polk County School Board, died of heart failure Monday (June 20, 2005) in Winter Haven. She was 72.

Born in Champaign-Urbana, Ill., on May 21, 1933, she graduated from the University of Illinois. Mrs. Gray came to Winter Haven from Gainesville in 1956.

Her career as an English teacher at Winter Haven High School spanned at least 12 years and included having all three of her children in her classroom at one time.

"I enjoyed it because it was at the high school, and I kind of felt like I had special privileges," her daughter, Kathryn "Kay" Gray of Winter Haven said. "All of my friends loved her. She was just the favorite at the high school. She used to fuss at me because I wouldn't take notes in her class, but I really enjoyed having there."

Mrs. Gray retired in 1987.

As a community activist, Mrs. Gray was a founding member of the Winter Haven Junior League in the early 1980s. She served on the beautification committee for the city of Winter Haven and the tree board. She was an avid gardener and a member of the Distinction Garden Club of Winter Haven. She was a former Girl Scout leader and volunteer for Meals on Wheels.

"She was a proponent of the library and had a lot to do with the new library being built," Kathy Gray said.

She was a lady of a strong faith in God and a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church. She also attended First Presbyterian Church of Winter Haven.

In addition to her daughter, Kathryn Gray, Mrs. Gray is survived by her husband of 48 years, John Gray; sons, John "Jay" H. Gray Jr., Winter Haven, Mark E.M. Gray, Peachtree City, Ga.; five grandchildren.

A gathering of friends will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at Oak Ridge Funeral Care, 2425 W. Havendale Blvd., Winter Haven. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church of Winter Haven.

Memorials may be made to Friends of the Winter Haven Public Library, 325 Ave. A N.W., Winter Haven, 33881, or to First Presbyterian Church youth ministries.
 

Story from the  Lakeland Ledger  June 22, 2005