Estelle "Dolly" Rita Gray's Obituary
Estelle “Dolly” Rita Gray, 93, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, died on May 9, 2019, in her home. She was born January 26, 1926, to Humphrey and Jessie (Nicolini) Tortorella in Chicago, Illinois.
Dolly was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Harold E. Gray, Jr., daughter Barbara Gray, sons Harold E. Gray III and Gordon Gray, sisters Ann Krueger and Marian “Babe” Dempsey, and grandson William Piha.
Dolly is survived by sons Brian (Michelle) Gray of Indian Trail, NC, and Dr. David (Marné) Gray of Carthage, MO, daughter Gail (Monte) Piha of Farmington, AR, grandsons Matthew (Courtney) Gray of Noblesville, IN, Conner Gray of Charlotte, NC, Stephen Piha of Fayetteville, AR, David Summerford of Dallas, TX, Cameron Summerford of Carthage, MO, and Liam Summerford of Carthage, MO, granddaughters Lauren (C.D.) Clevenger of Poquoson, VA, Madison (Lee) Moore of Landis, NC, and Brittney (Grant) Pierce of Huntsville, AL, great-grandsons Alexander Gray of Noblesville, IN, and Emerson Pierce of Huntsville, AL, and great-granddaughters Gracie Pierce of Huntsville, AL, Elysa Moore of Landis, NC, and Reese Pierce of Huntsville, AL.
Dolly worked for IBM in New York City, New York, from 1945-1950. After their youngest started school, she became a greeting card organizer for local grocery stores in Decatur, Indiana, and nearby towns. She and Harold with their three youngest children moved to Bentonville, Arkansas, in 1976 and soon after she was the greeting card organizer for Phillips Food Stores in Northwest Arkansas. She worked full-time for TRW in Rogers, Arkansas, then at Walmart General Offices, finally transferring to the Walmart Jewelry Warehouse as a jewelry inspector.
After retiring, Dolly led a very active life, first volunteering at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rogers, AR, and at the Donald W. Reynolds Boys & Girls Club in Fayetteville, AR. She enjoyed water aerobics classes, walking two miles a day, and strength training at the Reynolds Boys & Girls Club. She was also a sharp card player, playing at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fayetteville, AR, and at the Fayetteville Senior Center. She was also a lifetime member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority.
Dolly was a parishioner of and regularly attended masses at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fayetteville, AR. She also would attend Masses at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. She often commented that she was fond of being surrounded by young adults actively involved in their university parish.
On Tuesday, May 14, 2019, visitation is scheduled from 9:30am-10:00am, a rosary service is scheduled for 10:00am, and a funeral Mass will be at 10:30am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1722 N. Starr Dr., Fayetteville, Arkansas. Final internment will be in St. Vincent de Paul Cemetery in Rogers, Arkansas under the direction of Moore’s Chapel in Fayetteville.
To sign the online guest book, visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Circle of Life.
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