Clota Mary Ann Gray

Clota Mary Ann Gray, aged 88, passed away Oct 17, 2009 in Palm Springs.

She was born in a log cabin on September 12, 1921 in Mountain Springs, Texas to sharecroppers Virgil Carl James, a Southern Baptist preacher, and his wife, Viola Mae Massey. She left school and home as a young girl carrying her future wrapped around the only dress she owned. She picked grapefruit and cotton for 25 cents a day. During WWII, she worked for the war effort in Pennsylvania as a "Rosie the Riveter". She and her daughter found their way to Garden Grove, California in 1954, and supported herself as a grocery checker.

It was during this time that she met and married the love of her life, John Joe Gray in 1955. They were together 41 years until his death. Together they started a new family and business, Gray's New and Used Furniture in Santa Ana, CA. in 1957. 

She lived in Denton TX and she is survived by her daughters, Virginia Kepley and Rita Gray Menzel of La Quinta, CA and Clota Lenora Rosendahl of Chino Hills, CA. Other survivors include 5 brothers, J.W., and Nathan James of Irving, TX, David and Ruben James of Denton, TX, and Joseph James of Oklahoma City, OK. She is also survived by 7 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and 9 great-great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, John Joe Gray,

Sister Naomi Hillard, brother Paul James and Luke James and grandson, Bobby Joe Reynolds.  There will a visitation on Friday, October 23rd from 10 am to 12:30 p.m. at Casillas Family Funeral Home in Coachella, CA, Graveside committal services will be at 1 p.m. at Coachella Valley Cemetery.

Robert “Bob” Reed Knight

Robert “Bob” Reed Knight, 71, of Mountain Springs, TX (formerly of Lewisville), passed away on Sunday, October 18, 2009.

He was born on May 7, 1938 to Robert Berry and Judy (Lunceford) Knight.  On October 5, 1970, he married Donna Mae Argo in Ardmore, Oklahoma.  He was a veteran of the United States Army.  Bob served as the personal security guard for Mary Kay Ash of Mary Kay Cosmetics. 

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm, Monday, October 26, 2009 at Coker Funeral Home, 403 Pecan Street, Sanger, Texas.

He is survived by his wife, Donna of Mountain Springs; daughter, Rebecca Ray and husband, Shawn, with whom he lived for the past five years enjoying his retirement; son, Robert Reed Knight, Jr. and wife, Jody of Corinth; daughter, Judy Dixann “Dixie” Still and husband, Kevin of Callisburg; sister, Shirley Mills of Humble, Texas; and grandchildren, Christopher Reed Knight, Joseph Robert Knight, Sheena Nicole Molsbee, Skyler Austin Henderson, Hunter Wayne Still, Rebecca Raye Still, Jessica Elizabeth Ray and Joshua Parker Ray.  He was preceded in death by his father and sister, Beverly Patton.

Frank Mahaffey

Frank Mahaffey, 63, of Denton, died Tuesday October 20, 2009 at Presbyterian Hospital in Denton.

Mr. Mahaffey was born on April 21, 1946 in Richmond, IN to Fred and Helen (Russell) Mahaffey. He served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War and was stationed at the Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene. He was married to Krista Stewart on June 17, 1967 in Abilene. He worked at Timex and coached the United Girls Softball Association in Abilene. He was retired from Victor Equipment as an Electrical and Maintenance Mechanic.

A visitation will be held from 6-8 pm Thursday October 22, 2009 at Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home, 705 N. Locust, Denton, TX. Another visitation will be held on Friday October 23 from 1-2 pm at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 Hwy. 277 South, Abilene, TX. A graveside service will held at 2 pm at Elmwood Memorial Park.

Survivors include his wife, Krista Mahaffey of Denton; daughters, April Mahaffey of Abilene, Kelli Mahaffey of Abilene; brother, Tom Mahaffey of Deerfield, WI; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Fred R. Mahaffey and James (Jim) Mahaffey.