Della Gray

Della Merlene Gray, 93, of Columbia, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, April 28, 2021. Merlene was born March 11, 1928 in Pleasant Hill, Illinois to Myrl Edward Franklin and Winona May (Sheppard) Franklin. Merlene married Laurence Bledsoe on November 12, 1949, and they were blessed with four children. She was a member of the Union Avenue Christian Church. She was very active in the VFW Auxiliary in Moberly. Her family will remember her as an excellent pianist and an amazing artist. Merlene will be greatly missed. Merlene is preceded in death by two husbands, Laurence Bledsoe and Harold Gray. Survivors include her children, Cheryl (William) Roberts of Columbia, Stephen Bledsoe of Moberly, Tina Stufflebean of Columbia and Timothy (Christina) Bledsoe of Indianapolis, Indiana; nine grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; sister, Saundra Whipple of Madras, Oregon; brother, Dennis Franklin of Billings, Montana; extended family and close friends. Private services will be held to honor the life for Merlene Gray.