Arlene Joyce Gray

Arlene Joyce Gray, 68, passed away in San Francisco, CA after a fierce and mighty 5-year battle with cancer. Born in Elizabeth, NJ and raised in Saratoga, CA, she lived the last 40 years of her life in Visalia, CA. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree with teaching credentials in French from Brigham Young University in 1976, added English teaching credentials at Fresno State in 1991 and while teaching full time, completed her Masters coursework and supervised professional experience hours in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) from National University in Fresno in 2006.

Beloved by her family, students and friends, she was caring and sweet with a dash of silly. Her firm faith in Christ and kind heart compelled her to believe and invest in the potential that others could not see in themselves. For the last 20 years she passionately partnered with local charity organizations, spearheading dozens of local drives including winter coats for kids, holiday food and Christmas toy collections.

As a French and English teacher at Parlier High School for 25 years, Mrs. Miller/ Smith relentlessly encouraged her students, actively removing barriers to their success. Many students attribute her 1:1 mentorship to their successful journeys to become the first in their family to attend and graduate college.

A devoted Mother, she gave her sons unwavering love and support through every trial and tribulation while also celebrating every triumph, big or small along the way. As a grandmother, she was dedicated to loving and supporting her grandchildren however she was able.

Her friends and family will remember her with admiration, affection, and love. ""I would rather hurt with memories sweet than to have never loved and no reason to weep."

Arlene is survived by her 3 sons, Joel Eric Smith of Las Vegas, Aaron Mark Smith of San Francisco, and Daniel Ryan Smith of Visalia; her son-in-law, Justin Eugene Donahue of San Francisco; her sister, Linda Stiborek and family of Tracy, CA; and her 5 grandchildren, Abigail Constance Smith of Lihue, HI, Joel Jonathan (JJ) Smith of Las Vegas, Lucas Mark Smith of Las Vegas, Leo Gray-Donahue of San Francisco and Liliana Justine Gray-Donahue of San Francisco.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10am on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 19100 Allendale Ave, Saratoga. Burial will follow at Madronia Cemetery, 14766 Oak Street, Saratoga.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11am on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 825 W Tulare Ave, Visalia, CA 93277.