Neva Nonnearl Gray

Neva Nonnearl Gray, daughter of the late Elbert “Ebb” and Ethel Pearl (Crewse) Cline, was born on May 23, 1915 near Manes, Missouri and departed this life on April 27, 2009 in Primrose Place in Springfield, Missouri, following a long illness. She was 93 years, 11 months and 5 days of age.
Nonnearl grew up and attended school in the Manes Community and was united in marriage to Orla Gray on August 21, 1945 in Waynesville, Missouri. Nonnearl and Orla raised three boys: Donald and Larry Gray, Gene Cline, and one daughter: Carol Cline.
She was a caring and giving mother and some of her happiest moments were taking care of and being with her family. She was blessed with having a generous heart and loved doing things for others.
She was a longtime member of the Manes Baptist Church. She enjoyed attending services prior to her illness.
Nonnearl was a supervisor in the Quartermaster laundry at Fort Leonard Wood commuting from Manes for many years. She retired from Federal Service in 1978. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband: Orla Gray; a son: Gene Cline; two infant children: Clifford Wayne and Twanna June; two brothers: Clarice Cline and Clarel Cline; two sisters: Estylene Perkins and Phyllis Neal; and by a half-sister: Vera Walker.
She is survived by two sons: Donald Gray and his wife, Evelyn, of Manes, Missouri, and Larry Gray and his wife, Bonnie, of Springfield, Missouri; one daughter: Carol Cox and her husband, Fred, of Raytown, Missouri; a daughter-in-law: Connie Cline of Independence, Missouri; three step-children: Johnnie, Erma, and Neoma; one sister: Elanda McCoy of Springfield, Missouri; ten grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; cousins; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Nonnearl left her children with examples of strength and endurance with sickness. When you visited her, she always had a big smile. When you left, she would wave and say “Oh, I love you.” She will be truly missed by those who knew and loved her.


Funeral Services:
Friday, May 1, 2009 at 2:00 PM in the Manes Baptist Church.
Visitation:
Thursday, April 30, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM in the Craig-Hurtt Chapel.
Burial:
Green Mountain Cemetery
Donations/Contributions:
Manes Baptist Church c/o the funeral home.