Barbara Diane (Vancil) Gray, also known by some as “Snookie,” was the daughter of Frank Vancil and Eleanor Cramer. Barbara was born on Jan. 31, 1955, in Kansas City, Kan. She left this life peacefully with family by her side and went into the presence of the Lord on Tuesday, May 12, 2020, at the age of 65. As a child, her and her family moved to Norwood, where she would attend Norwood School until graduating in 1973. During that time, Barbara met her future husband and the love of her life, David Gray, and they ultimately joined in marriage on June 9, 1973, and were blessed abundantly in nearly 47 years of marriage. From this union, three boys were born: Shane, Shaun and Shelby. Barb confessed Jesus as her Lord unto salvation at a young age, asked for forgiveness of sin and was baptized on Nov. 16, 1969. During her life, she developed a deep trust and faith in the Lord and served Him with a great love and devotion throughout her life. She recognized that there was no salvation possible outside of the blood of Jesus and His death, burial and resurrection. She was a long-time, faithful member of the Cold Springs Free Will Baptist Church. Barb was the rock of her family, and truly loved being a wife, mother, grandmother and dear friend to a great many people. For many years, one of her treasured activities were the weekly family dinners where she felt so blessed to cook for her family and spend time with the people she loved the most. She enjoyed watching her kids and grandkids play sports and enjoyed several vacations to the western states. During her career, the bulk of her service consisted of eight years in various roles at Skyline Elementary before faithfully serving for 26 years as the Norwood High School secretary where she worked tirelessly, energetically and lovingly until sickness pushed her into retirement late in the 2017-2018 school year. She was always eager and grateful to help others, with countless wedding setups and other activities where she poured out her love and talents upon so many in her ministry of helps. Barb lived an unselfish life, always selflessly helping others while asking or wanting nothing in return. She was a natural encourager, a comforter of others, a woman of humility and modesty, a pillar of quiet strength, a woman of truth and one who poured her love out upon others. When she was first diagnosed with stage four lung cancer that had already spread into various parts of her body and brain, some doctors and nurses believed and asserted that she would never leave the hospital and make it home, yet the Lord blessed her with over two additional years of enjoyable life with her family. During that time, Barb was blessed with a Christmas miracle. On Christmas Day 2018, the Lord raised her up mightily with greatly renewed strength and vitality, having the best day she had since getting sick, and from that day forward, she enjoyed more than a year of significantly renewed health. In that time, she even began driving on her own again and was able to go take care of her mother on several occasions, which blessed her tremendously. In over two years of battling cancer and its effects, she never once complained. She always maintained her beautiful smile, her joy, her hope and her faith in God to bring both healing and salvation. She is now eternally healed and perfectly whole in the presence of her Savior.
Barb was preceded in death by her stepfather, John Cramer; stepmother, Barb Vancil; and stepbrother, Leland Sanders. Barb is survived by her husband, David; her sons, Shane, Shaun and his wife, Kinder; and Shelby and his wife, Nikki; her grandsons, Hunter, Hesston, Bennett and Nolan; her father, Frank Vancil; her mother, Eleanor Cramer; and her brothers, Bob Vancil; and his wife, Joy; John Cramer and his wife, Kellie; and Terry Sanders and his wife, Dede; and a host of other family and friends. Barb will be greatly missed, forever loved and always treasured in the hearts of those who knew her. Visitation for Barb Gray was held Saturday, May 16, 2020, from 10–11 a.m. at Mansfield First Assembly of God Church. Funeral services followed the visitation at 11 a.m., also at the church, with Brother Brandon McIntosh, Brother Donald Potter and Pastor Jerry Orf officiating. Song selections were “Amazing Grace Medley,” “O The Blood” and “There Is A King” with Kris Gray and Sumer Trip serving as musicians. David Gray, Shane Gray, Shaun Gray, Shelby Gray, Hunter Gray and Hesston Gray served as pallbearers. Burial was in Thomas Cemetery, Norwood, under the direction of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mountain Grove. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research in care of the funeral home. Online condolences: www.craighurttfuneralhome.com.
