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Kathleen Allphin Gray

Portrait of Kathleen Allphin Gray

Kathleen Alice Baker Allphin Gray, 97, of Marietta passed away at 5:59 am, Thursday, June 3, 2021 at Elmcroft Assisted Living. Born, December 5, 1923 in Marietta, Ohio, to Grace Agnes Cozzens Baker and Isaac Hanson Baker. Kathleen was the eldest of six siblings, Donald Baker, Betty Schwarz, William Baker, Carol Harper, all deceased, and survivor, Pamela Sewell of Marietta.

“Granny Kay” loved her family. A fabulous cook, Kay could make a delicious meal from whatever was in her pantry. Her fried chicken is legendary; her main secret was to use lot of butter. G.K. loved her flower gardens. She enjoyed bringing home an ailing miniature rose plant on sale from the grocery store and watching it flourish in her garden. One of her joys was to sit on her porch swing in Williamstown with a grandchild or great grandchild, and visit.
A graduate of Marietta High School, Kathleen was a member of the First Baptist Church of Williamstown, WV. She worked as the church secretary for a number of years, and served as a leader for the Women’s Association. In her later years, she attended worship at the First Presbyterian Church of Marietta, having kept membership with her First Baptist family, and enjoying their monthly senior luncheons. Kathleen was employed as bookkeeper for Smith and Burrows Roofing Company in Marietta for 29 years, and later worked for Sprague Electric Company. She also worked in the office of the Betsey Mills Club.

One daughter, Bonnie Donnelly (William) survives with grandchildren Robert Hayes Donnelly (Jamie Bingler) and Emily Grace Schuck (Brian). Also survived by grandchildren Bret Allphin (Danielle), Lacey Connell (Michael), Adam Allphin and Andrew Allphin. Surviving great grandchildren are Elena and Carmen Donnelly; Kennedy, Courtney and Addison Schuck. Alex and Anderson Allphin; Brady and Gabrielle Allphin; Laney and Owen Connell.
She is also survived by local family loved ones including Charlotte Allphin, Heather and Chantel Brown, Tina Allphin, friend Sherry Wallace and others from Jaycee Estates where she lived for 18 years before moving to Elmcroft Senior Living in 2020. Many nieces and nephews survive who always celebrated with her at annual summer family reunions and the Cozzens-Baker girls holiday luncheons.

Preceded in death by her husband, Frederick R. Gray, Jr., on April 30, 2001, two sons, William Allphin, Jr., Jan. 17, 1996, and Russell Allphin, Nov. 19, 2006, and daughter-in-law Lana Allphin May 2, 2012.
A special thank-you to Mindy Payne, Bridget McGrew and the entire Elmcroft team for their continuing
loving care. Thank you to Marietta Hospice.

Family will greet friends on Friday evening (June 4) from 6-8 at McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Messages of sympathy may be sent to the family at: condolences@Lankfordfh.com.