Machias and Davenport, FL - Phyllis M. (Easley) Morrill Gray, 81, passed away on September 7, 2007 at a Florida Hospital after a courageous battle with lung cancer.
She was born on August 9, 1926 in Dexter, the daughter of the late Harold V. and Eleanor (Atwater) Easley. She was educated in the schools of Dexter. Phyllis was married on May 13, 1944 to Charles A. Morrill and lived in Dexter until his untimely death on January 7, 1954. Phyllis remarried on October 6, 1956 to Maxwell E. Gray and they made their home in Machias and spent many wonderful weekends at their camp on Gardners Lake. Phyllis' greatest love was for her family; she was a devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother always thinking of others before herself. She was known for her sweet personality, beautiful smile, and powerful bear hugs. She had a great passion for basketball and was an avid fan of the LA Lakers. She went to her first and only NBA game in Atlanta last November and never stopped talking about it. She also enjoyed playing bingo and she and her daughter Mary shared many special Wednesday nights out together, eating forbidden deserts, playing, laughing and usually contributing.
In June 2003 Phyllis moved with her daughter and loving son in law to Davenport, FL. She really enjoyed and loved living in Florida but her heart was still in Maine with the family and friends she left behind. Every summer Mary and Bill took her to Maine where they stayed at the Pine Grove Cottage on Bog Lake. There she got to spend very special time with her sons, Joe and Gene and other dear family and friends. Her family has been so blessed and never will forget her love and devotion to them.
Phyllis is survived by her two sons, Charles (Joe) Morrill and Maxwell (Gene) Gray of Machias; one daughter and best friend Mary (Morrill) Beal and her husband William of Davenport, FL; two step daughters, Teresa Charlene Norman of Jayess, MS and Gwen Treholm of Hermon; one step son Kenneth Gray and his wife Rosie of Hermon; beloved grandmother of William Beal Jr. and his wife Melony of Tyrone, GA; Stephen A. Beal of Davenport, Fl; Peter C. Beal and his wife Stephanie of Clermont, FL; Cherie Gallant and her husband Tom of West Paris; Shana Morrill and David Morrill of Lisbon. Great grandmother (GG) to Kirby, Kelsey, Jacob, Kayla and Hadden; one brother Richard Easley and his wife Jane of Dexter and Englewood, FL; several nephews and nieces; and many special friends.
Phyllis was predeceased by her parents, her husbands; infant sons Richard Donald, Paul Eugene and James Andrew; sons in law William Norman and Bruce Treholm and lifelong friends Mary Chabot and Freda Chase.
On September 29, 2007 there will be a service of love and celebration for Phyllis at the Community of Christ Church on North Street, Machias at 11:00 AM with Pastor Donna Emerson officiating. Inurnment will take place later that same day at the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Dexter at 4:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations in Phyllis memory be made to, The American Cancer Society, National Kidney Foundation or the charity of one's choice. Arrangements are entrusted to Oak Ridge Funeral Care of Haines City, FL.
