Wednesday, March 2, 2005, at a Topeka hospital.

She was born Oct. 18, 1919, at Neosho Rapids, the daughter of Charles Victor and Mary Charlotte Bills Daily. Her family settled in Lyon County in 1855.

During World War II, Fern was the first female certified airframe welder in Wichita. After leaving junior high to help support her family, she went on to complete bachelor's and master's degrees with honors at Emporia State University.

Mrs. Gray taught at McClure Elementary School for 19 years before retiring.

She was a member of Countryside United Methodist Church
She married Howard Samuel "Sam" Gray on May 18, 1941, in Council Grove. He preceded her in death on May 6, 1991. She also was preceded in death by , Donavan Love Gray; Dorla Kay Daily Sharp (1939 - 1998)* Faye Eileen Daily Jaggard (1921 - 2008)* Charlotte Erma Daily Kemp (1922 - 1991)* Leona Ellen Daily Mayhill (1924 - 1993)* Roger Eugene Daily (1927 - 1993)* Charles Loy Daily (1932 - 2006)* Ross Odell Daily (1934 - 1992)*
Wayne Eldon Daily (1936 - 1950)* Dorla Kay Daily Sharp (1939 - 1998)*
Homer Allen Dailey (1918 - 1979)*

Survivors include a daughter, Gaylynn, Meriden; two sons, Gerry, and Geoffrey, Meriden; four grandchildren, R. Darrick, Jennifer and Sheila, all of Topeka, and Hannah, Lawrence; a great-grandson, Darrick, Topeka; four sisters, Adeline Wood, Faye Jaggard and JoAnne Fowler, all of Emporia, and Mary Clemmer, Tampa; and a brother, Charles "Loy" Daily, Wichita.

A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Countryside United Methodist Church. Committal services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Mount Hope Cemetery in Neosho Rapids.