Shirley Gray Obituary

Shirley A. Gray, 87, of Parsons, passed away at 7:15 a.m., Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at Elmhaven East in Parsons.

She was born on August 15, 1938, in St. Paul, to Paul “Pat” and Maxene (Hudson) VanLeeuwen. She grew up and attended school in St. Paul, graduating from St. Paul High School.

After high school, Shirley worked at Mercy Hospital for two years. She then worked at Fred Ronald’s Garment Factory for seven years. In 1974, she began working at Labette County Medical Center, now Labette Health. After working in the Obstetrics Department for 28 years, she retired in 2002.

Traveling, camping and gardening with her husband, Bill, were some of Shirley’s favorite things in life. She also enjoyed working on jigsaw puzzles and doing crossword puzzles.

She married Tom Nibarger. The couple later divorced. In 1975, Shirley and Bill Gray were united in marriage. He preceded her in death on November 3, 2010.

Survivors include:

One daughter – Cindy Stone of Parsons, Kansas

Two step-daughters – Linda Circle and her husband, Tom, of Carl Junction, Missouri

Karen Clemens and her husband, Butch, of Carl Junction, Missouri

One step-son – Gary Gray and his wife, Charlene, of Parsons, Kansas

Four grandchildren

Eight great-grandchildren

One great-great-grandson

Seven step-grandchildren

13 step-great-grandchildren

One brother – John VanLeeuwen and his wife, Linda, of Walnut, Kansas

Three sisters – Patricia Holland of Overland Park, Kansas

Susan Coeme of St. Paul, Kansas

Mary Lou Reeves and her husband, Ronnie, of St. Paul, Kansas

Sister-in-law – Mary Ann VanLeeuwen of Topeka, Kansas

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bill Gray; her son, Rusty Nibarger; two brothers, Steve VanLeeuwen and Mike VanLeeuwen; a step-grandson; and a step-great-grandson.

There will be a Celebration of Life at 2:00 p.m., Friday, March 27, 2026, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home of Parsons. A private family inurnment will take place at Oakwood Cemetery in Parsons.

Memorials are suggested to help defray final expenses. Please make checks payable to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.