Virginia “Boots” Hardy Gray, 90, of Appling, Georgia, met her Lord and Savior face to face on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at her home surrounded by love.

Affectionately known as “Boots,” she lived a life full of faith, service, and joy. Boots loved to travel, shop, and attend country music shows, with Mel Tillis being her favorite singer. A faithful, dedicated, lifelong member of Kiokee Baptist Church, she found great purpose in serving her church family in many capacities, especially on Wednesday nights delivering dinners to those in need.

Mrs. Gray devoted more than 30 years of service as a school bus driver for Columbia County, where she touched countless lives with her kindness and reliability. Above all, she adored her husband of 74 years, Lanier Gray. He preceded her in death just 19 days earlier, and the family finds peace and comfort knowing they are now reunited and rejoicing together in Heaven.

Mrs. Gray is survived by her devoted grandson, Dr. Hardy (Lundie) Gray; loving granddaughter, Amy Elmore (Matthew) Heath; and cherished great-grandchildren, Amellia Gray, Parker Gray, Jewels Gray, Hudson Gray, and Braden Heath.

She was preceded in death by the love of her life, Lanier Gray; her son, Barry “Doc” Lanier Gray; and her brothers, Elton Hardy and John C. Hardy.

Funeral services to celebrate Boots’ Homegoing will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Kiokee Baptist Church, with Rev. Steve Hartman, Tracy McDaniel, and Stanley Anderson officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the Fellowship Hall of Kiokee Baptist Church. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Trent McDaniel, Tracy McDaniel, Trevon McDaniel, Larry Simons, Hardy Gray, Parker Gray, Denise Hobbs, and Mike Hinton. Honorary pallbearers will be Tracy McDaniel’s Sunday School Class.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kiokee Baptist Church, 2520 Ray Owens Road, Appling, Georgia 30802.