Marilyn Maurice Dowdy Williams - Gray

On a sunny Sunday, in Admore, Oklahoma on December 24, 1950, Bobbie and Reba Dowdy welcomed their first born “daughter” Marilyn Maurice. Her parents preceded her in death.
In 1954, she became a biological sister as her brothers and sisters began to arrive on the scene filling out the Dynamic Dowdy family tree; Rodney, Barbara, Wayne, Sandra (Malik), Donna (Clarence Jr.), Gwendolyn (Peter), Andrea (Able), Kevin (Valerie), Nathan, and Douglas.

While in elementary school, she began her “Christian” journey among the community of believers. After cruising the halls of Lincoln High School, and graduating in the upper third of her class, she conquered the curriculum of U.M.K.C. and graduated with a Master’s of Education degree, and a Reading Specialist degree. Her journey also included, pursuing a career in Education, as an elementary school teacher, working with new and beginning teachers, as well as assisting the principal.

Marilyn became the PROUD mother of two biological children, Craig Williams, (who preceded her in death) and Claudia Black (Stefan Sr.), and the courageous stand-in mother for Frank, Derrick, Calvin, Michelle, and later, Alma and Lil’ Craig Williams II.
In 1996, she became the wife to Milton Gray Sr.. She is now known as Marilyn M. Williams-Gray. With this now hyphenated last name, she gained two sons, Milton Jr., and Darren (Amy).
As the years passed, Marilyn was blessed to share her home with four grandchildren and one niece 24-7. Three lived with her until graduating from high school. It has been stated many times, that if you were a child and able to follow her rules, you were welcomed into the home.

As Marilyn M. (as she so often introduced herself) one wondered what the “M” stood for. Did the “M” represent “Mrs.” as she always kidded? Did the “M” represent “mentor” as she was to many? or “momma” which some affectionately called her? or “minister”, the capacity she served when called by the Lord?

Marilyn lived.
         Marilyn learned.
                Marilyn laughed.
                          Marilyn loved.

Today is not goodbye, but TTYL, to her fabulous family, heart throb husband, brilliant brothers,
sassy sisters, dynamic daughter, grandchildren, who are her gems, Kyayera, Lil’ Craig, Aminah, Deontae, Che, Lil’ Stefan, Chloe, Imani, Alyssa, and Mya genius great grandchildren, Kyasia, Dayan, and Ky Mane nephews and nieces who never failed to love her unconditionally ferocious family of friends, church family, my special Sister Sisters Stefan Sr., Rebecca, Keshawne, Desiree, and Christine.