Wilma K. Gray

Wilma K. Gray, age 91, of Wilmington, DE, went to glory Sunday, October 27, 2019, surrounded by family.

Born in 1928, in Scranton, PA, Wilma was the daughter of Edward Hermann Knopf and Ethel Katherine Trostel.  Although her mother passed away when she was 18 years old and no one went college in her family, Wilma graduated that spring from Scranton High School and went to Shelton College in New York City where she earned a degree in English Literature.  Wilma met her future husband Robert Gray while at Shelton, and upon graduation, she and Robert were married and moved to Newark, Delaware.  Wilma worked as an elementary teacher while Robert completed his education at the University of Delaware. 

Wilma and Bob started a family of four children and subsequently moved to Brandywine Hundred.  Wilma raised her children while teaching at several area schools including Wilmington Christian School and The Christian Academy in Brookhaven, PA. Over the years, she taught hundreds of first graders to read and write.  Her teaching salary put her own children through college.  Wilma was a consummate cook and hostess.  She loved to travel overseas with her husband on business trips for Scott Paper Co.  When later in his career Robert served as Associate Pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church, Wilma and Bob were the perfect match to host and lead the “Young at Heart” seniors group.  Wilma was also an accomplished seamstress, making many quilts and clothes for her children and grandchildren. 

She was predeceased by her husband, Robert and her brothers, Warren and Melvin.

Wilma will be dearly missed by her four children, Cheryl Baddorf and her husband, Arthur of Knoxville, TN., son, Donald Gray and his wife, Gail of Newark, DE, daughter, Marilee Giardiniere and her husband, David of West Chester, PA and son, Mel Gray and his wife, Denise of Brandywine Hundred, DE.  She will also be missed by her ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren. 

Relatives and friends are invited to greet Wilma’s family on Saturday, November 2, 2019 from 10:30 am to 11:30 am at Faith Presbyterian Church, 720 Marsh Road, Wilmington, DE 19803. A Memorial Service will follow at 11:30 am. Burial will be private.  Flowers may be sent or donations made to Faith Presbyterian Church.

To offer condolences, please visit:

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302.798.7726

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