Obituary for Tommie Nell Gray (Bratton)
Services for Tommie Nell Bratton Gray, 85, of Tyler, are scheduled for 2 p.m.,
Saturday, January 21, 2023, at Bartley Funeral Home, Grand Saline.
Interment will follow in Creagleville Cemetery.
Tommie Nell Gray passed away January 15, 2023, at her home surrounded by
loved ones. She was born August 22, 1937, in Grand Saline, to Thomas & AvaNell
Bratton. Tommie Nell was raised in Grand Saline and graduated from GSHS,
Class of 1955. She married her high school sweetheart, Wilburn Gray, in 1956.
They lived in several places, including Austin, Memphis, Longview, Tyler, and six
years in London before returning to Tyler in 1975. Tommie Nell placed her faith
and trust in Jesus as a teenager. She became a member of Glenwood Church of
Christ shortly after returning to Tyler and continued her walk with the Lord all of
her life. She was a devoted wife and mother who loved her family. She was very
proud of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her sweet and gentle spirit
left a lasting impression on all those she encountered.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Wilburn Gray; parents,
Thomas and AvaNell Bratton; brother, Larry Bratton; Aunt, Jewell Dennard;
brother-in-law, E.E. “Shorty” Gray; and great-grandchild, Kaylee Johnson.
Survivors include her son, James Gray and wife Kim of Kilgore; three daughters,
Liz Chandler and husband Vance of Lindale, Vicki Arrington and husband Jim of
Dallas, and Sherrie Gibbs and husband Dave of Danville, CA; fourteen grandchildren, Melissa Johnson and husband Josh, Ashley Littles and husband
Jace, Jessica Sulser and husband Justin, Alex Chandler, Jeremy Gray, Taylor Gray
and wife Crystal, Austin Gray and wife Abby, Collin Gray and wife Andrea,
Brookelyn Gray, Drew Arrington, Tyler Arrington, Jett Arrington, Peyton Gibbs
and Ainsley Gibbs; six great-grandchildren, Sophia, Chloe, Brinson, Jaxson,
Caroline and Kal; sister-in-law, Nadine “Punk” Mills; niece, Tricia Elliott; and
nephew, Ronnie Gray; and many other relatives and friends.
Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, donate3.cancer.org.
The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m., Friday, at the funeral home.
Saturday, January 21, 2023, at Bartley Funeral Home, Grand Saline.
Interment will follow in Creagleville Cemetery.
Tommie Nell Gray passed away January 15, 2023, at her home surrounded by
loved ones. She was born August 22, 1937, in Grand Saline, to Thomas & AvaNell
Bratton. Tommie Nell was raised in Grand Saline and graduated from GSHS,
Class of 1955. She married her high school sweetheart, Wilburn Gray, in 1956.
They lived in several places, including Austin, Memphis, Longview, Tyler, and six
years in London before returning to Tyler in 1975. Tommie Nell placed her faith
and trust in Jesus as a teenager. She became a member of Glenwood Church of
Christ shortly after returning to Tyler and continued her walk with the Lord all of
her life. She was a devoted wife and mother who loved her family. She was very
proud of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her sweet and gentle spirit
left a lasting impression on all those she encountered.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Wilburn Gray; parents,
Thomas and AvaNell Bratton; brother, Larry Bratton; Aunt, Jewell Dennard;
brother-in-law, E.E. “Shorty” Gray; and great-grandchild, Kaylee Johnson.
Survivors include her son, James Gray and wife Kim of Kilgore; three daughters,
Liz Chandler and husband Vance of Lindale, Vicki Arrington and husband Jim of
Dallas, and Sherrie Gibbs and husband Dave of Danville, CA; fourteen grandchildren, Melissa Johnson and husband Josh, Ashley Littles and husband
Jace, Jessica Sulser and husband Justin, Alex Chandler, Jeremy Gray, Taylor Gray
and wife Crystal, Austin Gray and wife Abby, Collin Gray and wife Andrea,
Brookelyn Gray, Drew Arrington, Tyler Arrington, Jett Arrington, Peyton Gibbs
and Ainsley Gibbs; six great-grandchildren, Sophia, Chloe, Brinson, Jaxson,
Caroline and Kal; sister-in-law, Nadine “Punk” Mills; niece, Tricia Elliott; and
nephew, Ronnie Gray; and many other relatives and friends.
Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, donate3.cancer.org.
The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m., Friday, at the funeral home.