Jennie Diane Gray
March 17, 1959 - January 13, 2021
Jennie Diane Gray, 61, passed peacefully in her home surrounded by loved ones after a two-and half-year battle with cancer. Jennie was strong-willed and fought a courageous fight.
Born in Fallon, Nevada, Jennie lived her entire life in Fallon outside of two years in California and one year in Reno. Jennie graduated from Churchill County High School and following high school, she graduated from cosmetology school. Jennie was a hard worker and for many years worked two jobs. She worked during the day as a hair stylist (at various salons) and worked evenings as a manager at the Pizza Barn. For 27 years, Jennie owned and managed New Directions Hair Salon located in Town Square. Due to Jennie’s welcoming nature, New Directions was a gathering place for people to visit and connect even if they were not getting their hair or nails done. Jennie loved her career as a hair stylist. Her colleagues at New Directions were like family to her, and many of her clients became life-long friends. She had a huge heart and compassion towards people and would go out of her way to help her clients including transporting some of her elderly clients for their appointments.
Jennie’s greatest joy in life was spending time with her family, especially her daughter, Amber, and her grandchildren. She also loved spending time with friends and continued the lost art of connecting with out-of-town friends through hand-written letters. She loved eating out and critiquing food; cooking including trying new recipes and contributing to family dinners; photography – she blessed the family with thousands of pictures documenting years of family functions; and journaling in which she left advice and memories for the family to enjoy for years to come.
Jennie was an active member of Philanthropic Education Organization (PEO) and was passionate about its mission of promoting educational opportunities for women. In addition to the organization’s mission, she loved the people with which she served. Jennie’s wish upon passing was to have donations go to PEO’s local scholarship to help young women graduating from high school attend an accredited college of their choice and women attending Western Nevada College.
Jennie was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin Gray, and stepdaughter, Dawn Sanches.
Jennie is survived by her daughter, Amber Edwards; grandchildren, Berlynn Johnson, Carsen Knittle, Haley Sanches Lienhardt, and Jacob Sanches; her mother, Emma Workman; siblings and in-laws, Kathy Cunningham (John); Linda Widmer (David), Steve Cheek (Rose), Gary Cheek (DeAnn), Jeanette Workman, and Joe Workman; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Jennie to PEO’s local scholarship fund. Donations can be sent to: PEO Chapter D, c/o President Sandy White, 441 Heron Lane, Fallon, NV 89406.
Celebration of Life Services will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2021, at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Nazarene, 1520 Grimes Street, Fallon, Nevada, with a reception to follow.