Centa K. Gray

Centa K. Gray, lovingly known as "Liebchen" (German for "little love") to her late husband Darrell D. Gray, passed away on September 17, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of caring, warmth, humor and boundless generosity. Born November 11, 1934 in Wolfratshausen, Germany, a picturesque town in the Bavarian Alps, Centa brought the spirit of her homeland to Muncie, Indiana when she married Darrell on September 29, 1962 and joined him in a life filled with love and family.

Raised in the heart of Bavaria, Centa carried the traditions of her small town with pride, preparing German meals, her legendary homemade 8-layer chocolate cake and an assortment of traditional German cookies she would spend weeks preparing prior to the holidays and birthdays. She was also a trained seamstress in Germany and started a successful alteration and sewing business from her home's kitchen table in Muncie. While away from her homeland, Centa discovered a small group of German women with whom she forged lifelong friendships, while faithfully attending St. Lawrence Church. She was a member of Les Femmes Home Economics Club.

Centa and Darrell enjoyed making spontaneous trips to the casino to play video poker. Her positive karma made her an unusually lucky player which typically drove her gambling partner mad with envy! Having witnessed WWII unfold all around her as a child, Centa found joy in life's simple things-sneaking milk to any cat nearby (loved cats), feeding birds, and giving donations to every charity that arrived in her mailbox. Her infectious laughter, endless positivity and kind heart touched everyone she met.

She is survived by her sons Stephen (Indianapolis) and Bryan (Union City), seven grandkids, and four great grandkids. Her memory lives on in the love she shared, the traditions she nurtured, her uncanny luck at video poker, and the laughter that echoed through every room she entered.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years Darrell; her daughter Eva Moore; and her daughter-in-law, Mary Gray.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, September 26, 2025, at The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory, Washington Street Chapel.

Friends may call at The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory, Washington Street Chapel, from 12:00 pm until service time at 2:00 pm on Friday, September 26, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to her favorite charities (AmVets, any local animal rescue or shelter in honor of Charlie, her long-time feline companion and love). Centa's light will forever shine in our hearts. Auf Wiedersehen Mutti.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.meeksmortuary.com.