Obituary of Catherine Jones Gray

Catherine "Cay" Jones Gray of Lookout Mountain, died at home after a prolonged illness on Saturday, March 2nd. She was 84.

A native of Chattanooga, Mrs. Gray was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur S. Jones of Lookout Mountain.  She graduated from Girls Preparatory School in Chattanooga and attended Hollins College in Roanoke, VA., where she earned a B.A. in Sociology.   After graduating, she returned to Chattanooga and was employed by Hamilton County Child Welfare Services.  She married John Dagworthy Gray in 1958.  Mr. Gray died in 2007.  They were married 51 years.  

Mrs. Gray earned a M.Ed. in School Counseling from UTC while raising her three children and enjoyed a 20 year career as a guidance counselor for the Chattanooga City School system.  After retiring, Mrs. Gray embarked on a second career as a garden designer, earning an A.S. degree in Horticulture from Chattanooga State Community College and founding a design company called Mainly Natives, the name of which reflected her interest in the use of indigenous plants. Cay was known for her love for her family, her devotion to her vast menagerie of dogs and cats, her keen interest in nature and gardens, and her great affection for her many friends. She was a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd on Lookout Mountain, where she served on the Altar Guild and the Flower Guild and for many years oversaw the gardens and grounds.  She was a founding member of the Lookout Mountain Land Trust, a member of the Fairyland Club, and a former member of the Junior League of Chattanooga.  

She is survived by her two daughters, Landon Gray (Frank Parkinson) of Chattanooga and Valencia, Venezuela and Jane Gray Pritchard (Bill) of Lookout Mountain, and a son, John Dagworthy Gray Jr. (Melissa), of New Orleans, Louisiana. Other survivors include her five grandchildren, Justin Phipps Boyce (Madison) and Emma Pleydell-Bouverie Boyce of New Orleans; James Ficklin Pritchard, Stella Jane Pritchard and Catherine Frances Pritchard of Lookout Mountain.

A memorial service will be held at Church of the Good Shepherd on Saturday the 16th of March at 2:00 PM, with a reception for family and friends to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Lula Lake Land Trust or the McKamey Animal Shelter. 

Arrangements are by Wann Funeral Home and Cremation Center (423) 821-7551. Please share your memories, stories, and photos at www.wannfuneralhome.com.