With sadness and love, the family of Eva Mae Gray announces her passing on December 6, 2022 at her daughters home in Woodlawn, Illinois.
Eva was born January 10, 1924 to the late Harvey and Ella (Freeland) Austin.
She loved school and graduated from Wayne City High School.
On October 12, 1946 she married Kenneth West Gray. They were married 65 years and had one daughter together, Donna Lynn Leyva.
Eva worked as a secretary, a typist at Wayne County Abstract, and 13 years in the Wayne City Doctors office. She was a part of a group that established the Wayne City Library and served on that board for many years. She was a person of faith and loved being a member of the First United Methodist Church of Wayne City. She enjoyed singing at church and also was a member of the Harmony Roses Chorus in Mount Vernon. Eva was a member of the Monday Evening Woman’s Club which was active in community projects for many years. Eva and her husband, Kenneth, were devoted members of the Wayne City Ruritan Club and loved participating in the many projects and conventions. Eva was very creative and enjoyed sewing, painting, drawing, and many other crafts. With her husband, she enjoyed gardening and flower gardening. Eva was a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She participated in the care of her grandchildren and treasured those moments.
In addition to her parents, Eva was preceded in death by her husband; brother, Lester “Bud” Austin; and sister, Ruby Kathleen Garner. Eva is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Edward Leyva; grandson, Marcus Leyva (Johna Leyva); great-grandchildren, Violet Leyva, Alayna Leyva, and Therron Coder; grandson, Jason Leyva; grandaughter, Angela Leyva; great-grandchildren, Zachary Leyva and Sadie Leyva; and several nieces and nephews.
A Visitation will be held Monday, December 12, 2022 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church in Wayne City, Illinois. A Funeral Service will begin at 1:00 pm with Reverend Bud Storey officiating. Interment will follow at Thomason Cemetery in Wayne City, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Eva’s honor to the First United Methodist Church of Wayne City. Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.