JO GRAY Obituary
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
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June 15, 2010
Jo Ellen's family, my prayers are with you all. I remember Jo Ellen during my days as a Kanawha cheerleader and then at Douglas Freeman.
Katie Fleming Casey
Ann Pickett
June 14, 2010
I was shocked to hear of Jo Ellen's passing this morning and wanted to say how sorry I am for your loss. I was lucky enough to work with her for just a few years, but have such fond memories. I know the love she had for her son, her husband and her parents. I am happy to have known Jo Ellen and sad for her loss.
Sally McQuail Goodnight
June 13, 2010
Dear Hoy and Gray Families,
I am so sorry for your loss. I have such fond memories of Jo Ellen. She had a beautiful smile and the best laugh! She could truly light up a room. I hope that your memories of her are able to bring you peace.
Love,
Courtney Reid
June 13, 2010
Dear Hoy and Gray Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during these days of shock and grief at Jo Ellen's death. While I have not seen Jo Ellen for many years, I remember her fondly from her days at KRA where I worked and swam for many years.
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Catherine Hines
June 12, 2010
I am sorry for your loss!
June 11, 2010
Dear Elsie & Hunter,
I was shocked to learn today about your terrible loss. Jo Ellen was such a sweetheart and I know you'll miss her terribly. I remember her fondly as Hunter's little sister, Wayne's daughter, and Elsie's "Joey". We spent lots of time sitting on the bleachers together all those many years ago and I treasure the wonderful memories of all of you.
Take care!
Fondly,
Nancy & Robert Dement
Melissa Gentry
June 11, 2010
I am very shocked to hear of Jo Ellen's passing. I worked with her at Westvaco and she was always very sweet. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family.
June 10, 2010
I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts & prayers are with you all. RIP Jo Ellen.
Pat Hodor (Fleming) DSF 81
June 10, 2010
My thoughts and prayers with JoEllen's family. I am sorry for the loss of 2 beloved Hoy's in a short time. Jacqui Herron (DSF '86)
Jeanne Vincens
June 10, 2010
Thinking of you, George.
Lori Collins
June 10, 2010
I was shocked when I got the call today. Worked with Joellen for years at Westvaco and our sons are almost the same age. My heart goes out to George and Chase. So sorry for your loss. JoEllen was a wonderful person and loved you both so much!
Kathy Morton (previously Echelberger) Comess
June 10, 2010
Elsie & Hunter: Words cannot describe how sorry I was to read about Jo Ellen's death this week. Oh my goodness. I saw her just this past November at a doctor's office. I was not sure it was her and then we got to laughing & talking about old times. My best memory of her is when she went with me to some 3-D horror show back when she was just a teen. We had dinner together at Julian's on West Broad and then went to the movie. Please know that I am thinking about all of you. You know she is with her Dad now and that they are smiling on us all.
Sherry Childress (Baker)
June 10, 2010
I cheered with Jo Ellen many years ago at Kanawha. I am very sad to hear this news. My heart goes out to the entire family.
Mollie Blackburn
June 10, 2010
JoEllen and I went to the beach together, with our families, every summer between 2nd and 9th grades, I think. We cheered for Kanawha and played little league softball together. We worked at Kanawha's pool together. We enjoyed peanut butter, french fries, and captain crunch together. Across the years, I came to know JoEllen as a kind and generous person. I know she will be terribly missed.
June 10, 2010
I was so sorry to hear about Jo Ellen's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Susan (Roberts) Davidson
Brenda Lilly
June 10, 2010
I grew up with Jo Ellen and am so sad to hear of her tremendous loss. When I heard the news this morning, I immediately saw her wonderful face, freckles, big smile and lovely heart. We played many joyful softball games together and her and your family's love of sports was such a positive force for the other kids and families in Richmond. I am praying for "Coach Hoy", Mrs. Hoy, Jo Ellen's husband and children, Hunter and your family. What a wonderful childhood friend who as I saw her through the years when I was in Richmond (at a Freeman Football game, at Ukrops, wherever) we could always pick right up as if it was 30 years ago and we were in the dugout. My sincere sympathy and prayers are with you today and going forward.
Much love, Brenda Hawthorne Lilly
Debbie Craigo
June 10, 2010
Hunter,
I am sorry to hear that your sister has passed away. Hold tight to the memories. You and I worked together at TCRC one summer and I enjoyed getting to know your family.
Annette Cupp
June 10, 2010
I am shocked and saddened to hear of Jo Ellen's passing. I worked with her at Westvaco and she was a ray of sunshine in our department. All my love and prayers go out to her family during this difficult time.
Chris & Inger Ashworth
June 10, 2010
Growing up in Richmond, playing for "Coach Hoy", and having a great friendship with Hunter, I was privileged to know the family quite well. Jo Ellen was a wonderful girl/"little sister"/"bat girl" for the team at that time... that I am sure evolved into a wonderful woman, knowing the great family that she comes from. My deepest sympathies to you all. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.
Janet Jenness
June 9, 2010
Jo Ellen was a lovely person who had a wonderful positive outlook on life. She was incredibly kind-hearted and genuine and a wonderful high school friend. My deepest sympathies to her family. You are in my prayers.
Charlotte Suhr
June 9, 2010
I grew up at Kanawha and Freeman, and yet knew Jo Ellen back then only in passing. My friendship with her was brief, as I came to admire her and her beautiful family when I cared for her at Johnston-Willis Hospital. She was a truly lovely woman with a kind and beautiful soul. It was my pleasure to have known her. I will miss her and think of her often. George and Chase, I pray that you will find some peace and comfort knowing that you will forever have an angel watching over you.
Charlotte Suhr RN
Anita Edwards
June 9, 2010
My heart shares your sadness at the passing of Jo Ellen. Having worked with her as a student (and her Dad as a colleague) at Douglas S. Freeman High, I will miss her wit and fun spirit. My thoughts and prayers are with all of her family and friends.
June 9, 2010
My wife and I are so sorry to hear about Jo Ellen. We send our prayers to her family. Joe and Libby (Hoggard) Coulter
Melanie (Abbott) O'Neal
June 9, 2010
I am so sorry to hear of Jo Ellen's passing. I worked with her many summers at Kanawha. My thoughts and prayers are with her family during this very difficult time.
Jennifer Casarotti Troch
June 9, 2010
Words can't express my sadness over this news. JoEllen was a friend for over 20 years - a friend that even when years went by, it was as though we had spoken yesterday when we'd finally reconnect. What a joyful person with a kind heart and amazing spirit to leave this earth. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the Hoy and Gray family members. May you find peace in knowing that all of the fondness and wonderful memories of JoEllen will stay with so many of us long after this sad time. Peace to you all.
Beth (Agee) Chancy
June 9, 2010
I cannot think of highschool without thinking of spending time with Jo Ellen. She definitely left imprints on my heart. Her smile and laugh will always be remembered. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
Christy Campos
June 9, 2010
George - I am so sorry to hear that Jo Ellen passed away. It is heartbreaking.
Sherry Bunch
June 9, 2010
It is with great sadness that I write this tribute to Jo Ellen. I remember when she would come over to Mrs. Gray's when she and George were dating and how she always had a smile on her face. Although we all know she is in heaven now it's still hard grasp the idea that she is gone! George, I want you to know that I am here for you and may God bless and comfort you and Chase. You will always have your memories and I know they will comfort you as well. Just trust in God to get you through this extremely hard time. All my love to you and Chase and the family. Sherry Bunch
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