Betty Macy Gray passed away at her home Sunday, April 1, surrounded by family. Memorial services will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, April 5, 2012 at the Moorcroft Presbyterian Church with Donovan Voigt officiating.

Betty was born in Belle Plain, Iowa to Esther and Robert Macy July 16, 1926. She attended school in Moorcroft, except for her 7th and 8th years taught in the bunkhouse on the Warbonnet Ranch. She graduated from Moorcroft High School and went on to the Nurse Cadet Program at Sheridan during World War II. On March 3rd of 1946, she married her fiancé of 3 years, Richard Gray. That fall they moved to Laramie where Richard attended the University of Wyoming. Their first of four sons, Rick, was born in March of 1947 and second, Bruce Oneal (Neal), in 1949. Upon Richard's college graduation, they returned to Moorcroft to run the Warbonnet Ranch. A third son Rodney was born in 1952 and Thayne was born in 1963. They moved to Saratoga, Wyoming in 1966 and then returned to the ranch at Moorcroft in 1968.

A talented, intelligent, compassionate woman with an amazing work ethic, Betty served her family, community, the youth of Moorcroft and the church as a selfless servant every day of her adult life. She served as the Moderator for the Wyoming Presbytery and on the Presbyterian World Missions Board. She also served a term on the Crook County School Board and served as a leader for youth groups at church and in 4-H for decades.

Her family benefited from her superb cooking, gardening, drawing, sewing skills and her creativity. She always had time to share a skill, support a desire, and live her faith. Although Betty preferred to work behind the scenes, she and Richard touched many lives, especially the youth of the Moorcroft area. She truly made a difference. She believed in walking the talk. Her faith was practiced through her actions. "As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me." (Mathew 25:40)

Betty is survived by her husband of 66 years Richard, her son Rick and wife Gail of Rapid City; son Neal and wife Dee of Billings, Montana; son Rodney and wife Linda of Atlanta, Georgia; son Thayne and wife Shone of Moorcroft; brother and sister-in-law Jon and Margie Macy of Moorcroft; sister-in-law Dottie Mobley of Moorcroft; sister-in-law Joyce Macy of Rock Springs; and brother-in-law Don Holgerson, of Hillsboro, Wisconsin.. She was a loving grandmother to Gwen Gray (Rich O'Brien), Annapolis, Maryland; Heidi Voigt (Eric), Marquette Michigan; Arby Gray (Amanda), Belleville, Texas; Jenny Clarno (John), Minnetonka, Minnesota; Jana Koelzer (Dave), Annapolis Maryland; Jamie Herndon (Rob) Caldwell, Idaho: Jaycee Schmitt (Bill ) Rogers, Arkansas; Jason Gray (Angie), Missouri City, Texas; Alex Gray, Atlanta, Georgia; Carson Gray, Atlanta Georgia; Tyler Gray (Brianna), Broadview, Montana; and Aubry, Trevor and Tanyon Gray of Moorcroft, Wyoming. She is also survived by nine great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents Bob and Esther Macy, sister Dee Holgerson, brother Bob Macy, brother-in–law Jack Mobley, and brother-in–law Alvin Gray, and sister-in-law Charlene Gray.


A memorial has been established for the Logos Youth Ministry of the Moorcroft Presbyterian Church and Treasured Memories Hospice, Moorcroft, WY.