Frances Jane Buscha Gray

In Loving Memory of Frances Jane Buscha Gray January 26, 1948 – July 5, 2025

Frances Jane Buscha Gray passed away peacefully on July 5, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Born January 26, 1948, in her grandmother’s house in Greens Creek, Texas, she was the beloved daughter of Victor and Mildred Buscha. Frances was baptized at Bethany Lutheran Church and confirmed into the Christian faith at Immanuel Lutheran Church.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 56 years, Zane Gray, whom she married on July 6, 1968. Together they raised four daughters: Teresa Shed (David), Rose Miller (Kevin), Michele Mathis (Michael Harbich), Christie Murphy (William).

Frances was a proud and loving grandmother to: Austin Shed, Alexa Blasig (Mason), Garrett Mathis, Hailey Miller, Tyler Mathis, Colton Murphy, and Evan Murphy, and a cherished great-grandmother to five great-grandchildren. She is also remembered fondly by extended family and a large circle of dear friends.

Frances attended Immanuel Lutheran School through 8th grade before her family moved to Smithville, Texas, where she graduated from Smithville High School in 1966. She went on to build a strong career with the IRS, Saunders Insurance, and ultimately retired as a rural mail carrier from the United States Postal Service.

She lived a life full of love, faith, and adventure. Some of the family’s fondest memories are their many trips to the Texas Coast and the Frio River. Frances loved to hit the road without a plan, a map, or GPS—just a sense of curiosity and wonder. She passed on the joy of simple pleasures: canning food from the family garden, cutting pictures out of Christmas catalogs, and stopping for DQ ice cream on warm afternoons.

Frances had a passion for gardening—especially roses—reading, collecting Christmas villages and unique crosses, and playing the slots from time to time. She passed her love of books on to her daughters, and cherished every moment spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A faithful member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, she was also a strong supporter of Faith Lutheran High School in Warda, Texas.

Frances is preceded in death by her parents, siblings, and extended family members. Her legacy of love, laughter, faith, and family will live on in all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to: Faith Lutheran High School P.O. Box 138 Warda, TX 78960

Services to celebrate the life of Frances will be on Saturday, July 12, 2025. The family will gather at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, Texas from 9:00am to 10:00am and the Funeral Service will begin at 10:00am. Following the service the family will invite guests to a reception at the church fellowship hall. A graveside committal service will take place at 1:30pm at Oak Hill Cemetery in Smithville, Texas.

If Roses Grow in Heaven

By Dolores M. Garcia

If roses grow in heaven, Lord please pick a bunch for me, 

Place them in my Mother’s arms and tell her they’re from me.

Tell her I love her and miss her, and when she turns to smile, 

place a kiss upon her cheek and hold her for awhile.

Because remembering her is easy, I do it every day, 

but there’s an ache within my heart that will never go away.