Obituary of Marilyn Lucille Gray

Marilyn Lucille Gray (née. Cunningham) was born on September 6, 1947 in Lebanon, Ohio. She left this earth on Saturday, August 8, 2020 at the young age of 72. Marilyn was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was raised in Lebanon, Ohio and spent most of her life in Lebanon. In 2016, she moved to Spring Hill, Florida with her beloved husband. Marilyn loved antiques, gardening, drawing, good food and wine, beer, Beer Steins, old R & B music (and most types of music), traveling, gambling, and life in general. Her greatest love was her husband, William (Bill) Brian Gray, to whom she was married for 49 blissful years. Bill was her high school sweetheart and true love. After high school, Marilyn moved to Cincinnati Ohio where she become the a Flori Roberts girl for Shillito while Bill attended Mahoning Technical College in Youngstown OH. They dated other people for those 2 years, but realized they were soulmates and resumed their relationship upon Bill’s return to Lebanon. On April 3, 1971, they were married and their only child, Lesley Marcella May (nee: Gray) was born October 6, 1971. While they both adored children, God only blessed them with one child. Marilyn was a strong, devoted, loving yet tough mother. She worked hard to instill a great work ethic and morals in her only child. She taught her to take nothing for granted, be honest and to be the best she could be. She also taught Lesley to love with your whole heart and compassion. To Lesley, Marilyn was a super woman that handled everything with grace and ease. Lesley married Andrew (Andy) David May from England in 2003. On August 28, 2009 the best gift the Gray’s and May’s could ever hope for finally arrived...Cooper William Alexander May was born. Cooper was Marilyn’s pride and joy! She adored him and could spend every moment of every day with Cooper if possible. After the death of her husband, living with her family and seeing Cooper every day gave her the strength to live on and find joy in even the small things. She often stated that she was grateful to see and kiss him daily. Losing Marilyn has been a devastating blow to a family that already lost so much. Marilyn was one-of-a-kind. Strong and fierce yet loving and kind. She was honest to a fault but would do anything for those she loved. She was more than just a loving wife, wonderful Mom and Mother-in-Law and doting Grandmother, she was our morale compass, our sounding board and our source of comfort. Marilyn also leaves behind several siblings that she loved dearly. Jane Sanders (Rick), David Cunningham (Diane) and Lonnie Cunningham. She was proceeded in death by her husband, William Brian Gray on May 8, 2020, her father James Rue Cunningham, her mother, Lucille Cunningham, her brothers Herbert Cunningham and James Cunningham (Phylis), her sisters, Lena Mae Phillips, Norma Jean Pryor (Jack) and Ruth Ann Cunningham. She also leaves a step-granddaughter, Brid Baker (nee: May) and step great grandson, Wyatt Baker. As well as a host of special nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews and in-laws.