Janice Stewart Gray got her Christmas wish and was reunited with her sweetheart, Dale Ivan Gray, in Heaven on Christmas Day 2020.
Janice was born on June 1, 1939 to Wilbur Shill Stewart and Zilpha Pearl Tiffany Stewart. She was the oldest of three daughters. Her sisters, Barbara Stewart Done and Lani Stewart Waite, preceded her in death and we are sure they all had a wonderful Christmas reunion.
She gave her husband, Dale, the best Christmas present ever, as she passed peacefully and was reunited with him after a long 5 1/2 year wait. She caught the attention of her future husband at the Mesa High School tennis courts when she was 15 years old and married nineteen year old Dale the following year. Dale made sure she finished her high school degree while they were married.
She was a force to be reckoned with as she raised seven children, Chuck (Connie), Shannon (David) Whipple, Julie (Don) Harrison, Devin (Kathy), Darrin (NaDene), LeeAnn (Andrew) McConaghie, and Sam (Heather). She ran a tight ship serving dinner at 5pm sharp every night. And we can’t forget the cake for dessert every night too.
Janice was a gifted oil painter, loved growing and tending her roses, appreciated beautiful sacred music, and was very organized. Janice had a child-like faith and was blessed to have her prayers answered many, many times. She got what she prayed for. She had a great depth and knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ which she taught to her children and grandchildren. Many evenings were spent in gospel conversations and discussions with each other.
Janice had good common sense, and was a blessing to others as many people sought her advice on parenting and relationships. She and Dale served as temple workers for almost 20 years. They took an intermission from their temple service to serve a 18-month mission at the New York Family History Center in downtown Manhattan. Janice said she felt like “two little country frogs in a big city“. They loved their mission and the knowledge of how to do family history work became a great blessing to their family.
Janice loved Dale with all her heart. She may have loved him even more than vacuuming! They were often caught dancing in the kitchen. We are sure they are ringing in the new year with a twirl and a dip on a heavenly dance floor.
Janice will be missed by her children, their spouses, 36 grandkids, and 41 great-grandkids.
Funeral services for family members will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located at 4640 E Holmes Ave, in Mesa, AZ on January 2, 2021 at 10 a.m. A viewing will be held before the service from 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Janice will be laid to rest at the Mesa City Cemetery.
A broadcast available for all to view at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnkoQERlNWl858RdjQmrMHw
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