Karen Bell Gray

Karen Bell Gray, 76, of Tallahassee went to Heaven on March 29, 2023. Karen was born on June 7, 1946, in Charleston, West Virginia, and was raised in her native Brounland, West Virginia. Karen is survived by her children, Lisa Hodgson (Todd), Ronnie Gray (Stephanie), Nicholas Gray (Lee Ann); siblings, Joyce McAllister (Eric) and Tim Bell; her grandchildren, Kyler, Mackenzie, Hayley, Fallon, Hannah, Cooper, Drew; great granddaughter, Blossom, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends whom she greatly loved and adored. Karen was predeceased in death by her husband of 52 years, Hayden Gray; her loving parents, Ruth and Freeman Bell; and her precious brothers, Tony and Terry Bell. Karen was a graduate of Washington District High School Class of 1964, where she was a varsity cheerleader, superb student, and was greatly treasured by many of her classmates. Following graduation, Karen moved to Washington, DC to take up work as a secretary, it was there that she met her husband, Hayden, and began forming her family. In the midst of raising two children, Karen had a great epiphany and felt the calling to become a nurse. She enrolled herself at the Prince William County School of Nursing, all while managing her household, and successfully graduated soon thereafter. She began her nursing career at Potomac General Hospital, and from the very start, her colleagues knew that she was diligent, passionate, and embedded excellence in her care of others, a tradition that would continue for the next forty odd years. In 1977, Karen and Hayden moved their family to Tallahassee, Florida. Shortly after, she was hired to the nursing staff of the newly formed Tallahassee Community Hospital. For the next thirty years, Karen selflessly attended to hundreds–if not thousands–of individuals that entered the hospital’s doors. Karen was revered and respected by her colleagues–administrators, doctors, and nurses alike–for her steadfast advocacy, close attention to detail, and high regard for her patients. Plainly, for anyone that was entrusted to Karen’s care, they knew they could depend on her, as she was known by many for being unafraid and unbothered when it came to ensuring that her patients got the best treatment, even if that meant “ruffling” some feathers or going “toe-to-toe” with her supervisors. Apart from her immaculate legacy of the excellent and Christ-like care she rendered to her patients, she was also a cherished friend and confidant to so many of those in her work family. Karen was quick to proclaim that she was very proud to be a “coal miner’s daughter.” In the years after she moved to Florida, she always made a great effort to visit her native West Virginia, to see her family, and to take in the serene views and beauty of the mountain state. She never once waned in her belief that West Virginia was the most alluring state in our nation. Karen also immensely loved music. In her lifetime she was able to see most of her favorite artists live, those including: The Eagles, Earth Wind and Fire, Elton John, and her most beloved, Elvis Presley. Karen was born to be a mother and believed that role to be her most important. She was a common fixture at all her children’s band recitals, sporting events, and other life achievements. Moreover, she served as a second mother to the countless neighborhood and school children who found themselves at the Gray house. Because of her remarkable dedication as a mother, it seemed only fitting that God bestowed upon her the title of Grandmother. This promotion and title she loved above all else. Known as “Ma” and “MawMaw,” Karen was a doting grandmother, who unbiasedly thought of her grandchildren as God’s greatest creations. Frankly, there has never been, nor will there ever be, a “Ma” or “MawMaw” quite like her. Although Karen will be deeply and sincerely missed, her life and legacy shall serve as a benchmark on how we should all model our lives. The Gray Family will be having a memorial service honoring the life of Karen at the Family Funeral Home of Crawfordville at 10AM on April 7. Interment will then follow at Lake Ellen Baptist Church of Crawfordville, Florida. Flowers are welcome and may be sent to the Family Funeral Home of Crawfordville, Florida. Skip & Trey Young along with Paula and Kimberly are assisting the family. 850-926-5919 Familyfhc.com

Karen Bell Gray

June 7, 1946 - March 29, 2023