Diana Ruth (Yates) Gray Obit

(permission granted)

Diana Ruth Yates Gray, age 61 of Purcell, passed away Tuesday June 25, 2019 surrounded by loved ones.

Diana Ruth Yates was born October 1, 1957 in Purcell, OK, the 2^nd of 4 children born to Willie Dean Yates and Joan Cecelia (Bennett) Yates. Raised in Purcell, she attended Purcell schools, graduating with the Class of 1975. While in High school, Diana was the Vice President of her class and the biggest fan/supporter of her Dragons. She also began working as a Candy Striper at Purcell Hospital. This experience altered her course in life, leading to a lifelong career as a Nurse. Determined, Diana first obtained her VNA, and later her LPN license at the VO Tech with the help of her teacher and mentor Verniece James. Also while at the VO Tech she was elected as the first ever state President of HOSA in 1975. She eventually attended O.C.C.C. in Okla. City, becoming an RN in 2000. She started her career working at nursing homes and then spent many years working for DR. Edward Lee before going into home health care. In the last years she decided to make a change and started working in hospice care. Diana dedicated her life in the caring for others. She was an excellent nurse, worthy of her calling, and blessed many people in her career. She was witty, fun loving, outgoing and a tad bit eccentric. She could brighten anyone's day with a good laugh. Diana was a proud mother to daughter, Cheri and sons, Terry Jr and Bruce and she cherished being Nana to Cecilia, Eithyn, Kadein, Adrienne, Alexis, Levi, Keilen, and Kyndelyn. She loved her Purcell Dragons and her community but also became the loudest supporter of the Wayne Bulldogs as Nana Bulldog. Diana was a woman of great faith. She served as the Youth and Children's Director at Johnson Road Baptist Church for many years before becoming a member of the First Baptist Church in Lexington. And in her own words, Diana would tell you, "It's no brag, just fact". She will be dearly missed by her family, friends, co-workers, patients and many others!

She was preceded in death by:

Her parents, Willie and Joan Yates.

Diana is survived by:
Her daughter, Cheri Lyn Coker and husband Donnie of Blanchard, OK;

Sons, Terry Wayne Gray Jr of Miami, OK and

Bruce Gray and wife Jamie of Purcell, OK;

Sisters, Karen Gilleland and husband Doug of Dibble and

Gail Cheatwood and Husband Larry of Lexington;

Brother, Stephen Yates of Seattle, WA;

Grandchildren, Cecelia, Eithyn, Kadein, Adrienne, Alexis, Levi, Keilen, and Kyndelyn

And a host of other family and friends.

Funeral Services are scheduled for 2:00 P.M. Friday, June 28, 2019, at the First Baptist Church in Lexington.

Burial will follow at the Hillside Cemetery in Purcell.

Send online condolences @ wilsonlittle.com.