Mary Martha "Motney" Gray

After a long life, well lived, Mary Martha “Motney” Hannon Gray, 92, died on February 5, 2023, at the Westminster Oaks Health Center after an extended illness. She is survived by her devoted children, Ray Gray (Sandra Shoop) and Max Gray (Jan), of Tallahassee and Kay Williamson (Mike) of Ruskin, FL; her caring grandchildren, Sydney Williamson of Orlando and Casey Gray of Tallahassee; her loving sisters, Maxine Hannon Gaskins and Annette Hannon Lee of Tallahassee; her adored and adoring nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces, as well as her Hannon and Kemp cousins. Born to Joseph Maxwell and Georgia Kemp Hannon on December 13, 1930, in Valdosta, GA, Motney (called Mary Martha only by her parents and their generation of relatives) moved to Florida with her family and grew up in Woodville, attending Woodville Elementary and Leon High School, where she graduated in 1948. When her father transferred Hannon Lumber Company to Tallahassee, the family moved there. At Florida State University, Motney participated in the “new” Flying High Circus, joined Alpha Chi Omega sorority, and earned her business administration degree in 1952. Soon after graduation, she married Frank Gray. They built homes in the newly developed Indian Head Acres and later in Betton Hills while raising their three children. After a stint in Gulf Breeze, they had a home constructed on a bluff overlooking Lake Talquin and enjoyed life on the lake for many years until moving back to Betton Hills. Frank Gray, Motney’s beloved and cherished husband, died in 1999. Motney was employed on the staff of the Florida Legislature when it met biannually, then worked in the State Comptroller’s Office, and, for more than 25 years of her career, held positions at FSU, where she retired in 1995 as the coordinator of Risk and Insurance. She and her work were well known throughout the campus from the president’s office to business administrators, academic departments, faculty members, and the maintenance and custodial employees. A former Garden Club member, Motney enjoyed family gatherings and catching up with old friends. We never knew what she might say, but everybody knew there would be laughs when Motney was around. She adored holding babies, cheering for the FSU Seminoles, participating in First Baptist’s Early Risers Bible Study Class, singing with the First Joy Choir, and playing with her black Pomeranian Ziva. In her younger days, she took pleasure in traveling in the United States, including Alaska, and in Europe. The family is appreciative of the kindness and care provided to Motney by the doctors, nurses and staff of Capital Health Plan, Westminster Health Care and Assisted Living and by Big Bend Hospice. We will miss her, but we cherish the memories of our mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and friend, who could always make us laugh. The family will receive friends from 10:00AM until 11:00AM on Monday, February 13, 2023, at Bevis Funeral Home on John Knox Road. The memorial service will follow at 11:00AM. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Motney Gray may be contributed to Second Harvest of the Big Bend (https://fightinghunger.org/), the FSU Flying High Circus (https://circus.fsu.edu/), First Baptist Church of Tallahassee (https://fbctlh.org/), or to the charity of your choice. Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the Gray family with their arrangements.

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Mary Martha "Motney" Gray

December 13, 1930 - February 5, 2023