[an error occurred while processing this directive]
Crowder Cemetery
Courtesy of Chaney-Harkins Funeral Home
Submitted by: Carol Spear Rice
Twilia Reed Gray, of McAlester, passed away early Monday, April 28, 2025, in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 89.
Twilia was born December 5, 1935, in Indianola, Oklahoma to the Reed family. She grew up in the Indianola and Crowder areas and graduated as the valedictorian of her class at Crowder High School in 1954. She married Harold Freeman Gray on May 3, 1953, in McAlester, and together they made McAlester their lifelong home.
Twilia served on the Alderson School Board and worked at the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, where she retired in 1989. After retirement, she pursued her passion for antiques, opening three different antique malls over the years, including founding the McAlester Antique Mall, where she built a vibrant community of dealers and collectors. She also served as the longtime president of the Old Town Association, working to preserve and promote McAlester's history and downtown district. In recognition of her dedication, she was honored with McAlester Main Street's Lifetime Achievement Award and was once crowned Queen of the Wild West Festival.
Twilia was a member of the Northtown Church of Christ and was deeply devoted to her family, faith, and community.
She is survived by her children, Brenda Baxter and husband Tom of McAlester; Harold Gray of the home; Edward Gray and spouse David Smith of Crowder; And Sierra Ellis and Bryan Bickle of McAlester. Grandchildren Angel Bailey, Eric Baxter, Michelle Gray, Brian Gray, Jacob Gray, Clare Gray, Nicholas Gray, Kyleigh Tolman, Keaton Ross, and Alexander Gray; great-grandchildren Gabriel Cunningham, Caleb Baxter, Malachi Baxter, Samantha Williams, Elijah Williams, and Charleigh Tolman; Great-great grandchildren Cooper Cunningham, Lennon Cunningham, Marley Cunningham, and Lakelynn Baxter, along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Harold Gray; her sons, Howard Lane Gray and Jimmy Mark Gray; her parents Howard and Edna (Benson) Reed; her granddaughters, Brianna Bailey and Rachel Baxter; and three sisters.
A funeral service will be held at 1:00, Thursday, May 1, 2025, at the Northtown Church of Christ, McAlester, OK, with Mr. Randy Walters, officiating. The interment will follow at Crowder Cemetery, Crowder, OK.
Pallbearers will be Tom Baxter, Harold Gray, Edward Gray, David Smith, Bryan Bickle. and Gabriel Cunningham.
Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Northtown and Crowder Churches of Christ and many dear friends from the McAlester Antique Mall community.
[an error occurred while processing this directive]