Lillie M. Gray

Died: June 30, 2009

JONESBOROUGH - Lillie M. "Nanny" Gray, 69, of Limestone, died Tuesday.

Mrs. Gray was born in Sullivan County, the daughter of the late Roy and Reta Baker Cregger.

Mrs. Gray was a member of several healthcare organizations and honor societies.

Among her accomplishments were earning a general equivalency diploma, an associate's degree in nursing and a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing, both from East Tennessee State University, where she made the dean's list in 1976 and 1977.

She received the Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse Critical Care Award 1989-92.

She received a certificate in healthcare supervision and the Betsy Brogan Award in 1992.

Mrs. Gray had been employed as a nurse's aide at Greene Valley Developmental and became a licensed practical nurse while there.

She was employed as house supervisor at the former Greeneville Hospital when it was under the direction of Claude P. Fox, and later in the same position when it was under the direction of Dr. Haskell W. Fox.

She was also employed as house supervisor at Laughlin Hospital.

She was employed by Family Practice of Bristol, which was associated with Quillen-Dishner Medical School.

She was nightshift supervisor at Northside Hospital in Johnson City before moving to the Johnson City Medical Center, where she was employed in a variety of positions.

At the medical center, she worked in the intensive care unit, as nursing supervisor, the coordinator of the rehabilitation unit, also worked in special care obstetrics, and an emergency room nurse.

Mrs. Gray had almost completed a Master of Nursing degree to become a nurse practitioner when she had to retire because of medical disability.

Survivors include her husband: Homer Gray; her children and their spouses: Sandra Gray of Blountville, Jimmy and Patsy Gray of Limestone, Patricia and Vernon Johns of Sumterville, Fla., and Kathryn and Steve Acker of Johnson City; her grandchildren and their spouses: Bobby and Jessica Gray, Heather and Kevin Gillin, Bryan and Amanda Allen, Edith Gray, Sarah Gray, Robbie Crawford, Melissa Johns, Scott Allen, Kristina Johns and Makayla Johns; nine great-grandchildren: Rebecca Gray, Baylie Gray, Nathanael Gray, Alexis Allen, Ayden Kirkland, Matthew Gillin, Noah Crawford, June Gray and Aaron Allen; and two brothers: Roy "Buddy" Cregger Jr. and Mack Crawford.

She was preceded in death by two sisters: Lucy Skinner and Lorena Dickerson; and four half brothers: Alvin Cregger, Calvin Cregger, Arthur Cregger, and Earl Cregger.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Friday at Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home.

A celebration of life service will be held following visitation at 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. The service will include friends and family, and anyone wishing to be a part of the service may contact the family or funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 1701 N. Beauregard St. , Alexandria, Va. 22311; or the National Kidney Association, P.O. Box 1135, Blountville, TN 37617.

Condolences may be sent to the Gray family online at www.dillow-taylor.com.