Joan Meadows Gray, a resident of Memphis, Tennessee, passed into the loving arms of Jesus on October 30, 2019.
Joan was born Sept. 15, 1946, in Memphis, Tenn., to the late John and Mary Louise McCord Meadows. Joan grew up in Memphis, and, both Jonesboro and Fort Smith, Arkansas. She played clarinet in the Fort Smith High School band and worked for her Dad at his Tom ™s distributorship along with helping him raise show cattle. Joan graduated with degrees in elementary education from William Carey College in Hattiesburg, Miss., and Masters ™ at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. She married Gary Gray August 11, 1979, in Hattiesburg.  Joan taught in elementary schools for over 30 years, with almost 20 of those spent at Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and for 10 years in the Las Vegas public schools, retiring in 2011. After retirement, Joan and Gary relocated to Memphis, where she continued to work part-time at DeNeuville Learning Center until disease kept her from her beloved vocation. She attended the Episcopal Church her whole life but very much loved the Catholic Church. At the time of her death she was a member of Grace-Saint Luke ™s Episcopal Church in Memphis.
Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Gary Gray (2013); her parents; big brother Jack Meadows; niece Brooke Gray; and brother-in-law, Bob Gray.
She is survived by nephews, Jack (Robin) Meadows, Jr., of Charlestown, Indiana, John Meadows of Clarksville, Indiana, Dan (Audrey) Meadows of Plant City, Florida, Matthew (Julia) Meadows of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Phil (Holly) Gray of Columbus, Adam Gray of Columbus, Joel Gray of Chicago, Illinois, and, Dr. Patrick Gray of Chagrin Falls; nieces, Vicki Montgomery of Clarksville, Indiana, Suzanne (Chuck) Spencer of Lexington, South Carolina, Lisa (Ben) Jeffcoat of Jackson, Miss., Gray Sobczyk of Moss Point, Miss., and, Bridget (Shea) Tuberty of Boone, North Carolina ; brother-in-law ™s, Bill (Jill) Gray of Jackson, Miss., and Joel œHoke  (Meg), of Wooster; sister-in-law, Linda Gray of Wooster. Joan ™s life was blessed with the friendship, love, and care provided by Maureen Ward, an angel on earth. Maureen stayed with Joan most evenings over the previous two years and made this an easier transition for all of us. This was more than a job and it showed in the love they had for each other. Maureen was a true gift from God.
Joan was a lover of all dogs, but especially her constant and faithful companions, Oscar, Farful, Bronsky, Tara, and, Rocky. She was a loving daughter, granddaughter, niece, sister-in-law, and, very special aunt. She was the keeper of the Meadows, McCord, and, Tucker family histories. She will be remembered by her family and friends as one of the sweetest and kindest people you will ever meet. Graveside services for Joan and Gary Gray will be held at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Seville, Ohio, at a yet to be determined date.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
The family requests memorials be made to your local Alzheimer ™s/ Dementia support organization, your local animal shelter, or St. Jude Children ™s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
From the song titled œFor All The Saints ;
For all the saints, who from their labors rest, who thee by faith before the world confessed, thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest. Alleluia, Alleluia!
O blest communion, fellowship divine! We feebly struggle, they in glory shine; yet all are one in thee, for all are thine. Alleluia, Alleluia!
 

Memorial Contributions
your local Alzheimer ™s/ Dementia support organization, your local animal shelter, or St. Jude Children ™s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105

Service
Graveside services will be held at a later date.

Visitation