Allene Gray

Miss Lola Allene Gray passed away early Saturday morning, August 22, 2009, at her Jefferson Avenue home following a short illness. She was 91. Born November 2, 1917 in Edwina, she was a daughter of Robert Lemuel Gray and his first wife, the former Lola Clevenger. Following the death of her mother a few weeks later, she and her twin sister were reared by an aunt and uncle, Cora Ellen Gray, and Bruce Gray and his wife Flora. Her ancestors included some of Cocke County's earliest settlers, including Revolutionary War patriots Thomas Clevenger and James Gray, Sr. Her paternal grandfather was Willis Gray, who was a Union soldier during the Civil War. His wife was the former Margaret Morrell, a member of the family for whom Morrell Springs Road is named. Her maternal grandparents were Alexander and Tennessee (Denton) Clevenger. As a child, Allene began her schooling at Edwina School and later graduated from Cocke County High School in 1938. After working for approximately a year at Stokely's, she was employed by the late Hubert Huffman as a clerk at Huffman's Dime Store, eventually becoming manager. When Huffman's closed approximately 20 years later, she became a familiar face to Newport shoppers through her long-time association with The Holley Shop on McMahan Avenue. As a salesperson for over 40 years, she cheerfully assisted several generations of Cocke County women in their shopping. After retiring from full-time employment, she continued to work at the shop during the holiday season and recently helped in the store's closing sale. In 1934, she joined First Christian Church, a relatively new congregation which had been established in 1921. Until recently, she faithfully attended every service and church-related event, supporting the church's work in all possible ways. She had served as church historian for many years and delighted in keeping the church records up-to-date. She, with her sisters, devoted countless hours visiting residents in local nursing homes and hospital patients. She and her twin sister enjoyed dressing in identical outfits and found much amusement in the confusion this created when new customers came into their places of employment. For many years, she resided with her identical twin sister Arlene and brother-in-law the late Hugh William Hightower and was a beloved and devoted second mother to their children and grandchildren, and was a doting aunt to her many other nieces and nephews and their families. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by the following siblings: Charles Otto Gray, Nella Cora (Gray) Burnett, Margarette Tulin (Gray) Wilds, Georgia May (Gray) Whitlock, Lila Ruth (Gray) James, and Robert "Bobby" Gray, Jr. She is survived by her sisters, Arlene (Gray) Hightower, Nannie (Gray) Hale, and Lenola (Gray) Vassar, numerous nieces and nephews and their families, several cousins, and a host of friends from her church and work. The family will receive friends Monday, August 24, 2009, from 1-3 p.m. at Manes Funeral Home. Graveside services will follow at Union Cemetery, Newport, with Martin Stump as minister. Memorial gifts may be made to First Christian Church, 382 East Broadway, Newport, TN 37821; Johnson Bible College, 7900 Johnson Drive, Knoxville, TN 37998, or Stokely Memorial Library, 383 East Broadway, Newport, TN 37821. Manes Funeral Home in charge.

Allene Gray

November 2, 1917 - August 22, 2009