Elena (Helen) Juana Gray Gracia, 96, a longtime resident of Tempe, was called to God’s loving arms December 10, 2021.
She was born April 14, 1925, in Phoenix, Arizona, to Roscoe Bailey Gray and Lena Calderone. She was the youngest of three children. She met the love of her life, her beloved, Edward (Mickey), at a dance in 1944 and they were married four weeks later. She was a devoted wife for 69 years until his death. She lost her cherished son, Richard, in 2012.
She was known as a sweet and gracious lady who placed her faith in God all the days of her life. She will be sorely missed by daughters, Sandie Apsey (Gary) and Lena Andrews (Chris), grandchildren July Horne, Tiera Steele (James), Gray Gracia Willcox (Jenny) and Natasha Barrett (Andre), great-grandchildren, Johnathan (Carol), Joseph and Jacob Horne, Ethan, Xander, and Danica Steele, Max, Taylor, Cole and Dylan Barrett, numerous nieces and nephews and all who had the pleasure meet her. A Celebration of Life is planned for a later date.
