Tara Kathleen Gray of St. James, Missouri was born Nov. 22,1969 to Sharon Evans and Fred Gray and passed away January 23, 2026 at the age of 56 years.
She loved learning and had a strong desire to be proficient in sign language. She attended W. W. Samuell High School, graduated Texas School for the Deaf in Austin, Texas in 1989 and attended SWICD (Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf) in Big Spring, Texas.
She loved researching her family's genealogy and gathering family history.
Having a hearing impairment, she was fluent in sign language and always willing to help others learn sign language.
Animals were her adored companions. She loved Disney characters, especially Mickey and Minnie. She loved the color purple.
She was preceded in death by her father, Fred J. Gray; step-father, Charles Evans Jr.; brother, Joey Gray; nephew, Chris Schuchmann; nieces, Samantha Gray and Jessica Gray; aunt, Jane Gray; and uncles, Charles Gray (Wanda) and Jim Gray.
Tara is survived by her mother, Sharon Evans of St. James, Missouri; five children, Zachary, Zephan, Zeb, Zeze and Desiree; three grandchildren; three siblings, Scarlett Nelson (Jimmie Olivares), Melinda Gray Cunningham and Jason Evans (Christiana); sister-in-law, Misty Gray; nieces and nephews, Bryan Caulkins, Brittanie Durbin, Emily (Sean) Sullivan, Haylee Pavlor (Anatoliy), Krystal Cunningham, Christian Cunningham, Austin Nelson (Amanda), Cole Evans and Hudson Evans; great niece, Daisy Sullivan; great nephew, Ezra Caulkins; uncle, Weldon "Mo" Gray; aunt, Joyce Gray; other relatives and friends.
Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri.
