Mildred Louise Burns Gray

Mildred Louise Burns Gray, age 88, of New Philadelphia, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 26, 2020 and was also reunited with her husband, the late Francis Clifford “Cliff” Gray.

Mildred was born January 27, 1932 to M. Rosetta “Rose” Hooks Burns and James Landon Burns. Her parents moved from Tennessee and the family was privileged to live in “Tin Town” in Dover for a few years. It was a long walk from Tin Town to Dover South School but a lot of fun with friends. Later the family moved to Lincoln Avenue in Dover to be closer to Second Street School.

Mildred graduated from Dover High School in 1950 and on August 12th married Francis Clifford “Cliff” Gray of Stone Creek. The wedding ceremony was held at the Dover Christian and Missionary Alliance Church. They enjoyed serving the church in various ways and were faithful members. The couple would have celebrated 70 years of marriage on August 12, 2020.

Over the years, Mildred worked at various retail stores in the area, starting at Woolworths in Dover while in high school. Mildred retired from the City of Dover (Auditor’s office) and Schoenbrunn Village Historical Site. In addition to teaching Sunday school, she actively volunteered at the Dover-New Philadelphia Food Pantry, and for reading programs at the Tuscarawas Avenue School in New Philadelphia while she was able.

She will be sadly missed by her children; Cheryl (Ricardo) Ramos and Shawn Gray of New Philadelphia; Kevin Gray of Monticello, Florida; grandchildren, Rachael (Brett) Hartsell of Indianapolis and R. Andrew “Drew” Ramos of New Philadelphia; great-grand son Mathias Grayson Hartsell of Indianapolis, a sister-in-law, Barbara (Marcellus) Gray and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Francis “Cliff” Gray, her sister, D. Opal Stringer, a brother in-law George Stringer, and several aunts and uncles.

A private family service will be held with burial at the Dover Burial Park. The Toland-Herzig Funeral Home and Crematory at Dover is handling arrangements. While the services are private, friends may watch a live stream of the funeral by going to the Tribute Wall on Mildred's obituary page on Thursday at 1:30 pm.

Donations in memory of Mildred may be sent to the Ohio Right to Life at 88 East Broad St., Suite 620, Columbus, Ohio 43215.