Billie Gray, age 82, of Paris, Arkansas, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, August 9, 2025, surrounded by her family.

She was born on October 29, 1942, in Hope, Hempstead County, Arkansas, to Milton "Bill" LeRoy and Willie Madge "Cricket" Evans.  On May 24, 1961, she married the love of her life, James Thomas Gray, and together they built a life rooted in love, faith, and family for 56 years.

A 1960 graduate of Guernsey High School, Billie went on to earn her cosmetology license as both a hairdresser and instructor at Ozark Vo-Tech School.  Over the years, she served as an educator and bus driver for the Bradley and Paris Public School Systems, touching countless lives through her work and kindness.

Faith was the foundation of Billie's life.  She was an active member of Bradley Baptist Church and later, First Baptist Church of Paris, where she built lifelong friendships and poured her energy into serving others.  She loved her church family dearly.  When Billie loved, she loved deeply and unreservedly - you always knew where you stood with her.  She was especially devoted to her family, remaining active in her children and grandchildren's lives and treasuring every moment with her great-grandchildren.

Never one to sit idle, Billie always had to have a project underway.  She enjoyed cooking, gardening, sewing, and helping others in any way she could.  She especially loved quilting, gifting her handmade creations to friends and family as expressions of her love.

She is survived by her sisters, Melba Joy of Hope, AR and Maxine Hicks (Jim) of Little Flock, AR; her children, Sherri Hinds (Wayne) of Conway, AR and Tandy Gray (Marquis Hebert) of Hot Springs, AR; her grandchildren, Michael J. Hinds (Xiuhong) of Kunshan, China and Brittany Sheppard (Max) of  Sherwood, AR; her great-grandchildren, Aeris Sheppard, Renxi Hinds, and Alayna Sheppard; her nieces and nephews, Tony Caston (Dawn) of Kingsport, TN; Tony Stephens (PoPo) of Sugarland, TX; Cathy McKamie (Matt) of Oklahoma City, OK; Chuck Stephens (Belinda) of Mayflower, AR; Russell Cornelius (Kelly) of Hope, AR; John Caston of Kingsport, TN; Suzy Powell (Rusty) of Hope, AR; Mike Ennis (Oana) of Holland, MI; and numerous cousins and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother, Jerry Evans, and infant sister, Jessie Ray Evans.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM. Saturday, August 16th at First Baptist Church in Paris, AR.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church, 311 E Main Street, Paris, AR 72855.

Cremation arrangements and services are under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home in Paris.

To place an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com.