Rita Gray, 77, of Lake Andes

Rita died Monday, April 10, 2017 at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls. Wake services will be Friday at the White Swan Community Center in Lake Andes. Funeral services will be 1:30 PM, Saturday, April 15, 2017 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Marty. Burial is in St. Paul's Catholic Cemetery in Marty. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner is in charge of arrangements.

Rita H Gray was born on April 26th, 1939 in Wagner, SD to Lawrence Oliver and Ida Gertrude (McBride) Gray. She was raised in Greenwood and attended school in Marty though the 11th grade. She obtained her GED later in life.

Rita worked for the head start as a bus driver, a cook at the treatment center, plus held various other jobs with the Yankton Sioux Tribe. She is best known for her strong personality, sharp tongue, great sense of humor, and her great love for her family and BINGO.

She is survived by her 6 children: Armand Hopkins JR (Amber Boyd), Keeler (Melda) Hopkins, Kim Wright, Melvin (Leo) Hopkins, Robert (Nicki) Gray, and Tiffany Gray; sisters: Bernadette Patterson and Stephanie Cournoyer; 33 grandchildren; 47 great grandchildren; and 5 great great grandchildren. She was especially devoted to raising two of her grandsons, Darrin Hopkins and Gabriel Zephier.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Bernadine Provost and Beatrice Boettcher; brother John Gray; infant son Leo Keith; and great grandson Tate Archambeau.