Fern D. Gray, Topeka

Mrs. Gray died Wednesday, March 2, 2005, at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka.

She was born Oct. 18, 1919, in Neosho Rapids, the daughter of Charles Victor and Mary Charlotte Bills Daily. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees with honors from Emporia State University.

Mrs. Gray was the first certified female airframe welder in Wichita during World War II. She taught at McClure Elementary School for 19 years before she retired. She was a member of Countryside United Methodist Church and Shawnee County Landlords Assn.

She married Howard Samuel “Sam” Gray on May 18, 1941, in Council Grove. He died May 6, 1991.

A grandson also died earlier.

Survivors include a daughter, Gaylynn Dickey, Meriden; two sons, Gerald Gray, Lawrence, and Geoffrey Gray, Meriden; four sisters, Adeline Wood, Faye Jaggard and JoAnne Fowler, all of Emporia, and Mary Clemmer, Tampa; a brother, Charles “Loy” Daily, Wichita; four grandchildren; and a great-grandson.

Friends may call from 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday at Parker-Price Chapel, where the family will receive them from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday.

The family suggests memorials to Alzheimer’s Assn., P.O. Box 1427 Topeka, 66601.

Online condolences may be sent at .