Annie Holdren "Pearlie" GRAY

Annie Holdren Gray

Annie Holdren Gray, "Pearlie," 95, of Bedford, passed away Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008, at Bedford Memorial Hospital.

She was born Saturday, April 12, 1913, in Bedford County, a wife of the late William M. Gray Sr. and a daughter of the late Robert Raymond Holdren and the late Ollie Rena Wheeler. She was also preceded in death by five brothers, Larson, John, Fred, Pete and Ed Holdren; and two sisters, Frances H. Franklin and Mabel H. Thurman.

She was a retired employee of the Belding Heminway Co. with 25 years of continuous service. She was a member of Main Street United Methodist Church.

Surviving are her daughter, Deborah H. Croom of Bedford; son and daughter-in-law, William M. and Barbara S. Gray Jr. of Forest; grandson, William M. Gray III of Forest; granddaughter, Leslie Ann Gray of Forest; two sisters-in-law, Mattie Holdren of Buchanan and Nina Holdren of Thaxton; nieces, Brenda Ragland, Linda Johnson, Becky Lavinder, Diane Aultice, Tammy Guilliams, Gretchen Holdren, Donna Wilkes, Shirley Dooley and Gloria Patton; and nephews, John Holdren, Mark Holdren, Danny Holdren and Ed Holdren Jr.

The family requests those wishing to make memorials to consider the American Heart Association.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008, at Greenwood Cemetery, with Rev. Jim Hundley officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today, Oct. 28, 2008, at the funeral home. Arrangements are being handled by Updike Funeral Home and Cremation Service.