Helen Marie Carey Gray, nee Garrison, passed away Friday, November 9, 2012 at Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan, MO at the age of 93 years. She was born in Steelville, MO on November 4, 1919 to Laborn L. Garrison and Mary E. Burk Garrison. In 1939 at Solo, MO, Helen was united in marriage to Cleton Carey and to this union, two children were born, Carolyn and George. Cleton preceded her in death in 1945. She remarried in 1952 at Davisville, MO to Harry Gray and to this union three children were born, Harriet, Lorine and Dewey. Harry preceded her in death in 1987.

Helen was of the Pentecostal faith and attended the Full Gospel Mission Church in Steelville. Prayer and Bible study were a very important part of her life. She loved taking care of children, grandchildren and loved being near all of her family.

She will be sadly missed by her children Carolyn Fulliam and husband Paul of Steelville,  MO, Harriet Rector and husband James of Cuba, MO, Lorine Gray of Steelville, MO and Dewey Gray and wife Cheri of Cuba, MO; one daughter-in-law Ina Carey of Steelville, MO; twenty-two grandchildren; forty-nine great-grandchildren; forty great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Cleton Carey and husband Harry Gray; one son George Leroy Carey; ten brothers Joseph Aaron, Clarence Dempsey, Hershel, Dorey, Rev. Elmer Dooley, George Wiley,  Orville, Earl, Edward and infant Frankey Garrison; and two infant sisters Mabel and Ellen.

The Family received friends from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 10, 2012 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.

A funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 11, 2012 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO with Rev. David Gourley officiating. Special music of "The Next Step" was sung and played by Rev. David Gourley and his wife Darlene. Other music of "When I Cross the River" was played and sung by Verna Gruver, Kathy Gruver, Vicki Skidmore and Christina Smith and "I Want us to be Together" was sung and played by Richard and Ellen Ryerson.

Committal prayer and interment were in the Steelville Cemetery.

Honored to be casket bearers were Cleton Carey, Danny Sanders, Faron Fulliam, Dempsey Callahan, Dillon Harris and Will Gray.

The Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.