Laura Naiddean Gray

 Always take time to smell the flowers.

Laura Naiddean Gray was born on September 10th, 1937, to parents Paul and Bonnie Bates. She was the oldest of six children.

On a blind date, Laura encountered the love of her life, Carl Gray, and it was love at first sight. They married on June 27th, 1954. They celebrated a lifetime of love in sixty-one joyful years together, and they were blessed with two children, Carl Stephen Gray (Tetyana) and Elizabeth Ann Ruth-Gray.

Laura was a dedicated stay-at-home mom raising her two children. She took great pride in her love and commitment to her family and extended family. Laura found her career in doing what she always wanted to do since she was a little girl. She was not only an accountant but head of her department at Baker and Taylor in Momence, Illinois, until she and Carl retired together. 

They found a little piece of heaven at Lake Holiday Hideaway in Kingman, Indiana, where they started off with just a campfire ring. Board by board, they built their dream home together where they shared many happy memories and milestones with her siblings, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family and friends who were always welcome. In their lifetime, they shared 28 years as a retired couple, magical years doing what they loved to do together without having to work. You couldn't ask for much more. She was preceded in death by her husband on May 15th, 2021, and her grandson, Patrick Allen Ruth.

Laura's life began again with the birth of her five grandchildren. Ronnie (Sarah) Gray, Cassie (Sean) Becker, Pavlo Shyrokov, Rene'e Ruth, and Andrea Naiddean Ruth. Laura was also blessed to welcome three great-grandchildren to this world: Taylor Gray, Devin Gray, and Nolan Gray Becker. 

Laura taught herself how to crochet left-handed and made beautiful gifts for her grandchildren and family that will be cherished forever. She is an avid book reader who would read anything she could get her hands on. Her favorite book is Charlotte's Web. Laura and Carl were a part of a CB club in Northern Indiana. Their handles were PUFF (Laura) and DOC (Carl); Laura felt elated, yodeling as loud as she could as she leaned her head back, her arms wrapped tightly around her husband as they traveled through the Grand Canyon on a BMW motorcycle. She is survived by many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. Laura is also survived by all her siblings, Walter (Sharon) Bates, Janice (Porky) Berwanger, Bonnie (Ray) Stanley, Mary (Ray) Young and Diane (Larry) Howard. All these siblings and their spouses have always been very dear and close to her heart. For those who left before her, she felt their absence. 

Her memory and legacy will live on in her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family, and friends. 

A service to celebrate the life of Laura Naiddean Gray will be held at 2:00 p.m. EST on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Sunset Funeral Home, Covington Chapel, 420 3rd Street, Covington Indiana. Visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. As per her wishes, cremation rites have been accorded. Please join Laura’s family in sharing photos, videos and memories of her life on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.