Robbie Opal Hill Gray, age 86, of Florence, Ala., passed from this life after a lengthy illness to one of peace and comfort at home on Oct. 26, 2013.
Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. Tuesday at our Redeemer Lutheran Church. The funeral will follow at 2 p.m. with the Rev. David Doroh officiating. Burial will follow in the Florence Cemetery.
Robbie was born Oct. 16, 1927, in Florence, Ala., to Homer and Velma Hill. Mrs. Gray lived in the Florence area most of her life, but she and her late husband, Roy Edmon Gray, also called Memphis, Tenn., home for 30 years. While in Memphis, Mrs. Gray was the owner and director of a daycare. She loved being around children, so her passion became her career. She always considered her primary duties, the care and well-being of her family and home, a pleasure. She was a faithful member of the Lutheran Church for most of her adult life.
After retirement, Mrs. Gray enjoyed traveling, square dancing, and antiquing, but primarily spending time with her three children and grandchildren.
Mrs. Gary was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Gray; infant children, Charles and Robin Helgemo; parents, Homer and Velma Hill; brothers, William Hill, Howard HIll, Fred Hill; and sister, Sue Maness.
She is survived by her son, Ron Helgemo and wife, Janet, of Florence; daughters, Susan Killingsworth and husband, Bill, of Huntsville, and Lisa Newbern and husband, Joshua, of Florence. She also leaves behind brother, Gilbert Hill, of Florence; sister, Pat Howard and husband, Dickey, of Florence; six grandchildren, Michael Van Rensselaer, Melinda Thornton, Mary Helgemo, Adam Irslinger, Landon Newbern and Corinne Newbern; and six great-grandchildren.
Serving as pallbearers will be Micahel Van Rensselaer, Adam Irslinger, Kenny Maness, Greg Hill, Greg Richardson and David Springer.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Green Oaks Inn, Hospice of the Shoals, Northwood Pharmacy, Dr. Lyman Mitchell and Dr. Robert Webb for the love and care they showed Mrs. Gray and her family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church or Hospice of the Shoals.
Elkins Funeral Home, Florence, is directing.
