In Loving Memory

Delrita Bateman Gray 91, was a beloved Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Great-Great-Grandmother, and Friend. She passed away from a stroke peacefully surrounded by family on August 21st, 2026 in Spokane, WA.

Delrita was born in Ravenwood, Missouri on March 3, 1935 to Delmas and Lola Bateman. After moving to Kennewick, WA at 1 year old, she spent the next 90-years here.

Delrita was a Majorette at Kennewick HS and was part of the graduating class of 1953. She was a proud model for JC Penney, being given the opportunity to model for them while she worked there on and off through her life.

Gambling was a favorite of DelRita's. She used to tell her husband, Dan, that she was going to a Tupperware parties, baby showers, or something similar - instead she was really going to play Bingo. (Dad knew)

Some of her favorite outings in her later years of life involved visiting Legends Casino twice a month with Karin and Darla to have lunch and have a great time playing slots, and quite frankly, she won all the time - she was lucky like that.

She loved it when Darla would come in during the week to take her shopping. Some of her frequents stops were Big Lots, Walmart and the Dollar Store, she enjoyed that time out and about to shop around.

And while we all knew she loved to shop, her favorite of all shopping was on TV - she racked up orders on QVC and HSN like it was going out of business and she was trying to keep them afloat. Not all of those orders were exactly what she needed, so she required her trusty side-kick, Sada, to help her ensuring every order was right and doing the returns as needed - which was all of the time.

Sada was such a special Granddaughter, as she always treated Grandma with the utmost care and gave her the special attention she deserved. She celebrated and attended every holiday and special event with Grandma; those were some of Grandma's favorite moments.

While DelRita's love for all of her grandchildren was unconditional, she especially loved being a Great Grandmother.

Any visits from her Great Grandchildren were an extra special treat. All of the children knew when visiting GG to head straight to the candy drawer first - it was always stocked.

Holidays were DelRita's favorite, especially Christmas. She absolutely spoiled the family and residents at Parkview, and everyone looked forward to her Christmas gatherings - sometimes she had a Mrs. Claus outfit that she looked so cute in.

Her love, kindness, strength, and beautiful spirit will be deeply missed by her family and all who knew her. She was a woman who touched the lives of everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.

She is survived by her Daughter's Karin Oney, Debbie Gray, Darla Novak and Son Daniel Gray III,

12 Grandchildren, Natasha Gray, Rito (Christina) Martinez, David Oney, Nicholas Oney, Keith Oney, Marie (Juston) Grow, Sada (Chris) Ruby, Guy (Brea) Bates, Levi (Andrea) Willis, Dustin Gray,

24 Great Grandchildren, and 3 Great-Great-Grandchildren, Sister: Judy Shearer, Sister-in-law: Rita Bateman, with many other Family members and Friends who loved her dearly.

Mom's dear friend: Malcolm Townsend

She was preceded in death by: Her Father and Mother Delmas and Lola Bateman, Husband: Daniel Gray Jr, Brother: James Delmas Bateman, Son: Troy Scott Miller, Daughter: Diana Lynn Willis, Grandson: Troy Delmas Miller, Granddaughter: Nicol Angelic Martinez.

Her family will forever carry her memory in their hearts and will be grateful for every moment, every laugh, every hug, and every memory they were blessed to share with her.

She may no longer be with us, but her love and the memories she created will live on forever.

Graveside Service will be at Mueller's Desert Lawn memorial Park 1401 S Union St, Kennewick, WA 99338 on September 4th, 2026 at 1:00 pm