Shelia Paulette Tanksley-Gray, age 51, of Hensley, Arkansas, formerly of East Prairie, MO; died suddenly, August 11, 2019, at Hollister, MO.

She entered this life May 18, 1968, in Sikeston, Missouri, the daughter of Daniel Tanksley Sr. and Mildred (Williams) Tanksley. Her parents and her brothers-in-law: Jack Wallace and Bobby Johnson have preceded her in death.

She was joined in marriage December 22, 2018, to Toby Lee Gray.

Shelia was a faithful member of the Bingham Road Baptist Church where she sang in the choir and served with passion. She had a tender heart and was a loving and caring person. Most of all she loved her family. All who knew her will miss her dearly.

Shelia is survived by her husband, Toby Gray of the home; daughter, Alisha Cheyenne Meyer of Sikeston, Missouri; son, Dustin Cody (Jaime) Gray of Little Rock, Arkansas; stepchildren: Jennifer Tozier of Metropolis, Illinois, Josh Meyer of Indiana, Maria Meyer-Anderson of Metropolis, Illinois, and Joe Trew of Tennessee; sister, Almedia Payne of Charleston, Missouri; brother, Daniel Richard (Mona) Tanksley II of Oakland, Nebraska; sister, Gwen (David) Duke of East Prairie, Missouri; sister, Sharon (JT) Johnson of East Prairie, Missouri; sister, Jeanie Johnson of East Prarrie, Missouri; sister, Jackie Wallace of East Prairie, Missouri; brother, David Paul (Debbie) Tanksley of Ottomwa, Iowa; brother, Michael Shane (Stacey) Tanksley of East Prairie, Missouri; mother-in-law, Rebecca Kay Brewer of Hensley, Arkansas; and father-in-law, Terry Glen (Diane) Gray of Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
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Memorial services will be 6:00 p.m., August 16, 2019, at the East Prairie Cemetery, East Prairie, Missouri, and August 18, 2019, following services at the Bingham Road Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bingham Road Baptist Church or to the American Diabetes Association (https://donations.diabetes.org).

Obituary courtesy of McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston.