Willene Cox Gray, age 88, resident of DeQueen, passed away January 2, 2024 at the Dierks Health and Rehab Center.

She was born August 26, 1935 in Horatio to the late Willie Clifford "Bill" Cox and Gladys Delencia Romine.

Willene was a graduate of Horatio High School in 1954.  She was united in marriage to Oliver Kerwin Gray August 21, 1954. Kerwin passed away August 28, 2016, having been married married 62 years and 1 week.

Mrs. Gray was a homemaker most of her life, but had numerous activities in between.  In the 60's and 70's, she was in a singing trio called "The Jubilaires" when she and Kerwin lived in Shreveport, La.  The trio cut an album in 1970.   She enjoyed working at Morris TV and Appliance in the mid-80's and the Wee Center in the late 80's and early 90's.  She enjoyed bowling in the 80's on the Tootsie Rolls team with many of her dear friends.  She was a member of the First Baptist Church of DeQueen.

Besides her parents and Kerwin, she was preceded in death by one brother; Gerald Cox, and 3 sisters; Glendyne Watts, Adele Swan and Julia Stanford.

Survivors include:

Son and daughter-in-law:
Steve and Georgia Gray of Benton, Ar.

2 daughters:
Sherry Chaney of DeQueen
Sandy Salsbury of DeQueen

6 grandchildren:  Rachel, Mackenzie, Nick, Jess, Kristen and Jessica.
8 Great-Grandchildren:  Elijah, Baylee, Sarah, Henry, Ellen, Mary Grace, Lacie and Hannah.

And a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Graveside Services for Mrs. Willene Gray will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, January 5, 2023, at Millwee Cemetery in Horatio with Bro. Bobby Fischer officiating. General viewing will be held from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Thursday, at the funeral home. Arrangements are entrusted to Chandler Funeral Home of De Queen. You may leave a condolence online at www.chandlerfuneral.com.

Memorials may be made to Elite Hospice, 602 DeQueen St., Mena, Ar., 71953.  The family greatly appreciates everything they did for Willene.

The family would like to express a huge "thank you" to the staff at Dierks Health & Rehab Center for all their kindness during Willene's stay.