Blanche M. Gray, 96, of Springfield died Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2003, at Heritage Manor.

She was born Nov. 28, 1906, in Parkersburg, the daughter of John and Cora Fritchley Mullinax. She married Holmes Gray in 1954; he died in 1991.

Mrs. Gray graduated from Utterback Business College in Olney. She was employed by the Internal Revenue Service and also at Kresge's in Evansville, Ind. She was a pianist, having played in a orchestra for silent movies and at the Elks Theatre in Olney. She also played at Cottonhill Acres Dinner Place, the Centennial Building and the Executive Mansion. She was a member of the Victory Club of YMCA, Mary Bryant Service Club and Unity Church of Practical Christianity, for which she also played piano.

Survivors: two nieces, Dixie (husband, Clark) Leden of Winnebago and Diana Mullinax of Zephyr Hills, Fla.; and a nephew, Jon Mullinax of Coconut Creek, Fla.

Services at Bisch and Son Funeral Home, the Rev. Leslie Bradshaw officiating. Burial: Oak Ridge Cemetery.

State Journal-Register, The (Springfield, IL) - Saturday, January 18, 2003