Nancy Behrns Gray (66) of Greenville, N.C., formerly of Dieterich

Nancy Behrns Gray, age 66, of Greenville, North Carolina, and formerly of Dieterich, Illinois, passed away unexpectedly at her home on December 14, 2023.

A service of remembrance will be held on 11:00 - Saturday, June 29, 2024, at St. Paul Cemetery 3 miles north of Dieterich, Illinois.  A celebration of life dinner for family and friends will follow at 11:30 AM at the Dieterich Civic Center.  The family request bright-colored, casual clothes to celebrate Nancy’s life and would love to hear memories from her friends about when she was younger.  Local arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Dieterich, Illinois.  The obituary can be viewed, and condolences left by clicking here.

Nancy was born on June 17, 1957, the daughter of Wayne and Carol (Hetzer) Behrns of Dieterich, Illinois.  She graduated from Dieterich High School with the Class of 1975.  Following high school, she graduated from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and earned her master’s degree from the University of Iowa.  Her career began as a photojournalist, and she was the first editor of the East Magazine at Eastern North Carolina University.

Nancy married Stephen Gray on May 22, 1982, at St Paul Lutheran Church.  They lived in Iowa, and later moved to North Carolina, where they raised their family.

Nancy is survived by:

Husband of 41 years – Stephen James Gray of Greenville, North Carolina
Sons – Kyle (Chelsea) Gray of Brevard, North Carolina; Andrew (Meg) Gray of Boone, North Carolina; and Evan Gray of Mooresville, North Carolina.
Grandchildren – Emerson, Miles, Shepherd, Bowman, Porter, and Banks Gray
Brother – David Behrns of Dieterich, Illinois
Uncle – Lyle Behrns of Dieterich, Illinois
Numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Stephen’s parents, sister-in-law, Jennifer Palazzolo; uncle Denver Hetzer; and aunt Evelyn Vail.

Nancy’s motto was that life is not about the destination, but about the journey.  She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother (fondly called Grancy by her grandchildren), sister, cousin, friend, and will be missed by all who knew her.

Please join us June 29th to celebrate Nancy’s life and to share fond memories of her.