Maxell Franks Gray departed this life on Thursday, October 28, 2021, at the age of 80 years, 5 months, and 24 days. She was born in Hardin County, Tennessee on May 4, 1941, the daughter of the late Edna and Josie Wilkerson Franks. On November 7, 1959, she was united in marriage to Owen Douglas Gray, who preceded her in death on March 23, 2009.
Maxell was a lifelong Hardin Countian and had worked as a seamstress at Michael’s Sportswear in Milledgeville, Tennessee. She was a a member of the First Baptist Church in Savannah, Tennessee, Hardin Medical Center Ladies Auxiliary, and Home Demonstration Club.
Maxell was a wonderful cook- “The best” per her grandson, and she had even won several awards at the county fair for her cooking, flower arranging, and baking. She was a very kind, compassionate, giving, and beautiful person. She loved the Lord, her church, family, and friends. Heaven is rejoicing with such a beautiful angel as our mama.
Maxell is survived by her children, Sherry Garner, Julia Gaye Hansen, Pete Gray and his wife Pam, Jill Willoughby and her husband Greg, all of Savannah, Tennessee, Barry Gray and his wife Amy of Adamsville, Tennessee, and Chris Gray and his wife Julie of Smyrna, Tennessee; sisters, Nannie Faye Gray, Deanna Harville, and Pat Eklund, all of Savannah, Tennessee; brothers, James Franks and Gene Franks, both of Savannah, Tennessee; 12 grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren with two more on the way.
In addition to her parents and husband Maxell was preceded in death by a sister, Bonnie Hancock.
