BETTY MAE (BARBEN) GRAY, age 69 years, entered into Heaven peacefully on Monday, February 25, 2013 at the University of Maryland Hospital. She was the daughter of the late Charles Edward Barben, Sr. and Margaret (Thompson) Barben.

Betty met the love of her life at the age of 17 and soon after became the bride of the late Thomas E. Gray Sr. They shared a lifetime of wonderful memories and celebrated their Golden Anniversary in February before his passing a few months later on May 30, 2012. Her marriage with Tom was truly committed to the words of their wedding vows and they promised, “I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and to cry with you, to cherish you for as long as we both shall live.”

Betty was a lifetime resident of Whiteford, MD and had worked many years for the former Whiteford Packing Company followed by the UCMC Food Services, retiring in 2008. Betty was a member of both Delta-Cardiff and Whiteford Volunteer Fire Companies, and when active, both she and her late husband, Tom were a part of an ambulance team. They were known to have no problem flying down the road in the old Cadillac ambulance taking patients safely to the hospital. She was active in obtaining funds for numerous fire trucks.

Betty enjoyed helping people and would much rather give than receive. Her passion in life was caring for her family in any way needed. She loved to go camping, playing Bingo and was constantly on the move as the engine in her little blue car rarely had a chance to cool down. Outgoing, she was loved by all.

She is survived by:
Four children-
Thomas Gray, Jr. and his wife, Melissa of Delta, PA
Melissa Scotten and her husband, Tim of Whiteford, MD
Paul Gray and his wife, Sara of Aylett, VA
Sam Gray and his wife, Nina of Delta

Three brothers- all of Whiteford
Charles Barben, Jr.
Ronald Barben and his wife, Wilma
Daniel Barben and his wife, Tina

A brother-in-law, Donald “Skip” Gray and his wife, Carol

Nine grandchildren-Jason, Vicky, Jamie, Brandon, Paul, Jr., Brittany, Ashley, Lisa and Autumn.

Three great grandchildren-Mason, Eli and Kaitlyn

Visitations will be held on Friday, March 1, 2013 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Harkins Funeral Home, 600 Main Street, Delta, Pennsylvania where the funeral service will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m.

Interment will be in Bel Air Memorial Gardens.

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