Bonnie Mae Gray

Bonnie Mae (Lyons) Gray, 99, passed away peacefully at Midland Hospice House on July 19, 2026. Born June 5, 1927, in El Dorado, Kansas, she was one of nine children born to Howard and Alta (Naylor) Lyons. Her family moved to Chase County when she was a teen, and she graduated from Elmdale Rural High School where she was a cheerleader.

She was working at Western Union as a teletype operator in Topeka, Kansas, when she met her future husband, Ronald Martin Gray. They married in 1947 and lived in Wichita, Topeka, and Overland Park, Kansas.

Bonnie worked at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka for 21 years in Medical Records, retiring in 1993 when she worked another 10 years as a receptionist for several psychologists and psychotherapists. She also volunteered at Topeka Civic Theatre where she received a Volunteer Recognition Award in 1988, and at Let’s Help. She kept in touch through regular lunches with her work colleagues from St. Francis, and she continued to support Let’s Help through her membership at First Presbyterian Church of Topeka.

An avid Chiefs fan, Bonnie’s family was her greatest joy. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchild, always putting them first in her life. She was the heart and soul of the family, and her caring nature and sense of humor will be sorely missed.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years Ronald Martin Gray in 2012, four brothers – Eston, Joe, Jack, and Max Lyons, and four sisters – Lois Brown, Peggy Huske, LaVonne Prose, and Lila Snider.

She is survived by her daughter Debra Gray of Topeka; daughter Diane and son-in-law John Wurzer of Topeka; daughter Denise Gray Stevens and partner Patrick Grady of Topeka; son Daniel Gray of Wichita; grandchildren Valerie and spouse Ashley Vowles of Wichita, Rain Gray of Colorado Springs, Rachel Gray and partner Guin Sparks of Colorado Springs, and David Stevens of Topeka; and great granddaughter Rowan Vowles of Wichita, as well as several nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law, and many friends.

Services will begin with a visitation Thursday, July 23, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Dove SW Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka, KS 66610. Join the family for light refreshments at 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 24, 2026 at First Presbyterian Church, 817 SW Harrison, Topeka, KS 66612. The funeral service will follow beginning at 11:00 a.m. also at the church. Private interment will follow at Prairie Home Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to First Presbyterian Church where Bonnie was a member or to a charity of your choice.

To share a memory for her family, visit the guestbook below.