Verdia Mae Gray

Verdia Mae Gray, age 80, of Wellsville, Kansas, passed away on Friday, January 10, 2025. 

Visitation will be held at from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, Friday, January 17, 2025, at Dengel & Son Mortuary – Paola Chapel, 305 N Pearl St, Paola, Kansas 66071. Burial will take place at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Paola, Kansas. 

Verdia was born on May 8, 1944, in Ottawa, Kansas. She was the daughter of Paul and Helen (Crocker) Johnson. She spent her early childhood years living in Ottawa, Kansas, before moving to Alaska, where her father was stationed during the Korean War. Verdia moved back to Ottawa, where she graduated from Ottawa High School, with the class of 1962. 

She married Kenneth Gray on August 8, 1962. Together they had a son, Anthony. The couple lived in Iowa and California, before moving to Wellsville in 1970, where they purchased property and made their permanent home.

Verdia worked for the US Postal Service for many years as a letter carrier, working in Gardner, Ottawa, and Lawrence. She retired from the Postal Service after many years of service. 

Verdia was an avid gardener, enjoyed tending the yard and taking care of the property. She enjoyed her Pepsi, going to the casinos with her girlfriends, and could always be found relaxing on the couch watching TV. 

Verdia is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Gray, parents, Paul and Helen Johnson, sister, Judy Farrell, and brother, Larry Johnson. 

She is survived by her son, Anthony (Cindy) Gray, two grandchildren, Angela Gray and Cody (Ashley) Gray, two great grandchildren, Emmett and Henry Gray, brother, Chuck Johnson, as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made payable to the Wounded Warriors Project, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 305 N Pearl Street, Paola, Kansas 66071.

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