Elizabeth Ann Gray, known affectionately as Beth to her friends and family, passed away peacefully on April 27, 2025, in Villisca, Iowa, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on March 12, 1952, to Ernie and Irma (Teeter) Smith in the small town of Monte Vista, Colorado, Beth's spirit and vitality were evident from an early age.

Beth's early education was completed in Colorado, where she graduated from high school before pursuing her passion for cosmetology. Her dedication to her craft was only matched by her commitment to helping others, a trait that led her to a fulfilling career working with individuals with special needs at a recovery center. She later transitioned into in-home healthcare, where she continued to make a significant impact on the lives of those she cared for with her kindness and expertise.

In Colorado Springs, Beth's life took a joyful turn when she met the love of her life, Gary Gray. Their bond was immediate, and they married, weaving their lives together in a partnership that was both loving and adventurous. In 1984, they moved to Hepburn, Iowa, where they built a life full of memories and raised her three children: Kerri, Eric, and Alan.

Beth's zest for life was contagious, and her adventures with Gary were the stuff of family legend. The pair rode coast to coast, embracing the freedom of the open road and the beauty of the American landscape. These experiences were among the many cherished moments that Beth held dear, and her stories of these travels will continue to inspire her family and friends.

Preceding her in death was her husband Gary, her parents Ernie and Irma Smith, her son Eric Pace, her sister and two brothers.

Left to cherish her memory is her daughter Kerri Pace, son Alan Gray, stepdaughter Jennifer Gray, a wild bunch of grandkids, Jessica (Junior) McCuen, Walker Pace, Addison Gray, Payton Gray, Braden Gray, Chelsey Blank, Bradley Maxwell, great-granddaughter, Trezlee McCuen, along with many other family members and many friends.

As we say goodbye to Elizabeth Ann Gray, we celebrate a life lived to the fullest, marked by an enduring legacy of love and kindness. Her memory will be cherished and kept alive through the stories and the lives of her children and all of those she has influenced. Beth's journey through life was a testament to her strength, her warmth, and her adventurous soul. She will be deeply missed yet forever remembered with smiles and gratitude for the time we shared with her.

Memorials can be made to the family.