Louise Emaline Gray, 93 years, of Fort Madison, Iowa died at 4:30 pm Monday, March 7, 2011 at the Fort Madison Community Hospital, Fort Madison, Iowa. She was born February 21, 1918 at Mason City, Iowa, a daughter of Alfred L. and Arvilla (Abendroth) Benbow. On June 12, 1964, she married Harold E. Gray at Fort Madison, Iowa. He preceded her in death July 31, 1991.

She had been a resident of Fort Madison since 1927. She was a school teacher, retiring in 1983 after teaching for a total of 42 years. For her first three years she taught at Conroy, Iowa. She then spent 39 years teaching 7th grade English for the Fort Madison Community School System. In 1974 -1975, she was chosen teacher of the year. Mrs. Gray started the Talented and Gifted (TAG) Program in the Fort Madison Junior High School, now Fort Madison Middle School. After retirement, she continued to teach an additional 5 years in the English as a Second Language (ESL) Program for the Fort Madison Community School System, where she assisted children from 14 countries.

She was a member of the Alpha Xi Delta Sorority, Coe College; Daughter''s of the American Revolution (D.A.R.); P.E.O. Chapter BS; Monday Afternoon Study Group, Charity Circle of the First United Methodist Church, Retired Teachers Group, and the American Association of University Women (AAUW). She was a member of the First United Methodist Church.

She is survived by one step son, Thomas Evan Gray, Scotia, New York; one step daughter, Lynn Gray Haston, of Joplin, Missouri; one brother, James R. Benbow, Fort Madison, Iowa; and one sister, Mrs. William (Marvilla) Grismer, Des Moines, Iowa; two step-granddaughters: Tonia Lozano and Alma Ritonya; four step-great grandsons; nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, one sister, Dorothea Zimmerman, and one step-grandson,William Selby.

Friends may call after 1:00 pm Thursday 10, 2011 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, where the family will greet friends from 5:00 - 7:00 pm, Thursday evening. Family and close friends are invited to graveside services and burial at 11:00 am Friday March 11, 2011 at the Elmwood Cemetery, Fort Madison, Iowa. Reverend Brenda Goodall will officiate. A memorial has been established for the First United Methodist Church or the Fort Madison Public Library, contributions may be made at the Barr Memorial Chapel or graveside services.